Italy is expected to achieve 1,500 MW installed photovoltaic capacity by 2010 as the government is offering generous incentives to the sector.
The state-run power management agency GSE stated that Italy, one of the biggest solar energy markets in Europe, is expected to attain 1,500 MW of installed photovoltaic capacity in 2010, all because of huge incentives, reported
Reuters.
The number of photovoltaic (PV) installations that convert sunlight into power, surged by 16,000 during January-August 2009, adding in new installed capacity of 173 MW and increasing cumulative PV capacity to over 630 MW as well as the number of PV units to nearly 50,500.
GSE also hopes that the aim of 900 MW of total installed photovoltaic capacity, which it had initially set to be achieved by the end of the 2009, could be exceeded as operators would rush to take maximum advantage from the existing incentives. GSE is optimistic about the 1,200 MW capacity to be reached during the first six months of 2010.
Since 2007, when the Italian government sanctioned new incentives that were among the most munificent in Europe, PV industry has been witnessing constant boom. GSE has granted approx 220 Million Euros ($322.6 Million) to the owners of photovoltaic installations since then.
According to a market research report titled “Global Photovoltaic Market Forecast to 2013” by RNCOS increased participation of operators and nationwide initiatives have significantly increased the awareness level of Italian people regarding the utilization of PV technology.
In addition to this, the government is working on a new incentive scheme as 1,200 MW PV installation capacity covered by incentives under the existing regulations is very likely to be attained next year. Once this 1,200 MW capacity is reached, incentives will be extended for an additional 14 months under the present plan.
According to a Research Analyst at
RNCOS, “Currently, Italy ranks third after Germany and Spain in terms of PV power production. However, it would become second-largest PV power producer in Europe, provided it achieves its target set for 2010. In order to achieve its goal, the country needs to overcome certain basic hurdles like lack of infrastructure.”
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