Italy's cumulative installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity reached an impressive milestone, hitting 26,106 MW by the end of December, as revealed by recent statistics from Italia Solare. This capacity is spread across a remarkable 1,221,045 PV installations across the country.
During the first quarter of this year, Italy successfully deployed 1,058 MW of new PV capacity, a significant increase compared to the 377 MW installed during the same period in 2022.
Breaking down the newly added capacity, the largest portion consists of PV systems below 20 kW in size, accounting for 647 MW. The second-largest segment comprises installations with outputs ranging from 20 kW to 200 kW, contributing 289 MW to the overall capacity. Furthermore, solar plants above 1 MW make up 123 MW of the total installed PV capacity.
See also: Italy Approves 13 Agrivoltaic Projects for Streamlined Large-Scale Installations
Several regions in Italy have made notable contributions to the overall capacity additions. Lombardia leads the way with an impressive 190 MW, followed closely by Veneto with 169 MW. Emilia Romagna and Piedmont also made substantial contributions, adding 118 MW and 106 MW, respectively.
Italia Solare President Paolo Rocco Viscontini expressed confidence in Italy's solar power growth, stating, “For 2023, a doubling from this year is very likely, and for 2024 a further doubling, so we are talking about 2 GW, 4 GW, and 8 GW.” In 2022, Italy deployed 2.48 GW of installed solar power, demonstrating the country's commitment to renewable energy expansion.
The Italian government is actively supporting the development of large-scale solar projects through an auction system. Additionally, rooftop solar is being encouraged through a net metering program and various fiscal incentives. These initiatives further emphasize Italy's dedication to harnessing the potential of solar energy and promoting a sustainable future.
The remarkable growth of Italy's PV capacity underscores the nation's position as a frontrunner in renewable energy adoption and showcases the significant strides being made towards a greener and more sustainable energy landscape.
