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The photovoltaics market is currently emerging in Italy and shows every sign of being one of the world’s most promising markets thanks to an extremely attractive incentive system and excellent conditions for solar radiation. The Italian market also represents a favourable opportunity for photovoltaics producers and distributors due to its strategic position in South-East Europe and the Mediterranean Basin.

Using the sun’s energy to produce electricity through the photovoltaic effect is the principal business area for renewable energy in Italy: in 2008 the turnover for photovoltaics was just under €1.1 billion with a power capacity of more than 300 MW ( + 150% MW 2007).

The Nuovo Conto Energia (‘New Energy Account’) was approved by the Italian government by the Ministerial Decree of 19 February 2007 (implementing Legislative Decree No. 387 of December 2003). The ‘New Energy Account’ has led to exponential growth in the Italian photovoltaics market. By the end of 2008, Italy’s power capacity of 443 MW was the fifth highest worldwide, after Germany, Spain, Japan and the United States, according to the latest international data (provided by Gestore Servizi Elettrici - GSE).


Cumulative Power Capacity in the Principal Countries

	2006	2007	2008
Germany	2.727	3.862	5.212
Spain	143	655	3.316
Japan	1.709	1.919	2.219
USA	624	831	1.231
Italy	50	120	301
France	44	75	175
Europe	3.148	4.690	9.090
World	6.770	9.162	14.849

Source: 2008 Energy Strategy Report

Thanks to the ‘New Energy Account’, leading international analysts have identified Italy as one of eight strategic countries for developing the photovoltaics market. In June 2009 the situation was as follows:

Photovoltaics installed in Italy

	MWp	Number of Plants
OLD Energy Account – PV Systems in operation (to 08/07/2008)	147.77	5,432
NEW Energy Account - PV Systems in operation (from 08/07/2008)	348.60	34,007

Source: GSE