Italy to double solar capacity in 2010

subscribe

Italy, Europe's third-biggest solar market, is set to double photovoltaic capacity up to 2,000 megawatts in 2010 as operators race to sign up for generous incentives before they expire, a senior sector official said.

Photovoltaic (PV) systems that turn sunlight into power have boomed in Italy since 2007 when the current government incentive scheme was launched. The support scheme is set to expire in 2010 when the capacity covered by the incentives hits a 1,200 MW cap.

Italy's state energy management agency GSE has recently revised upwards its estimate of the total installed PV capacity to 950-1,000 MW, Gerardo Montanino, the head of operations department at GSE, told Reuters on the margins of a conference.

"This year, at least 800 MW, if not 1,000 MW will be added. It will be a year of a strong boom," Montanino said.

"With very generous incentives and a considerable reduction of panel costs, people understand that such profitable conditions will not be seen again in the coming years. With cut in incentives conditions will not be so favorable next year."

The government has postponed unveiling its new incentive plan which will reduce a key feed-in tariff to reflect falls in PV module prices.

Montanino said the new plan may be presented on February 25 when a state body which should approval the plan before it goes for signing by economic development and environments ministers, is expected to be convened.

But an official at the body that oversees relations between the central government and regions said the date of the next meeting of the body called unified conference of state and regions is yet to be set.

Investors and solar energy market operators say delays in unveiling the new plan would prevent them from drafting their own strategies and slow down investment flows into Italy's solar market.

Related News

rachel notley

Notley announces plans to move Alberta's electricity grid to net-zero by 2035 if elected

CALGARY - Ahead of the NDP’s weekend convention, Alberta’s Opposition leader has committed to transforming the province’s energy sector and moving the province’s electricity grid to net-zero by 2035 should an orange crush wash over Alberta in the next election.

NDP Leader Rachel Notley said they would achieve this as part of the path towards Canada’s 2050 net-zero emissions goal, which will help preserve and create jobs in the province.

“I think it’s an important goal. It’s a way of framing the work that we’re going to do within our energy industry and our energy sector,” said Notley. “We know…

READ MORE
power lines

Nearly $1 Trillion in Investments Estimated by 2030 as Power Sector Transitions to a More Decarbonized and Flexible System

READ MORE

site c protestors

Site C dam could still be cancelled at '11th hour' if First Nations successful in court

READ MORE

weed zapper

A robot is killing weeds by zapping them with electricity

READ MORE

power lines

Closure of 3 Southern California power plants likely to be postponed

READ MORE