Italian PV Market Report

Italian PV Market Report

Italy has been on the global PV investment map for the last three years. The reason is the generous feed-in-tariffs that have been offered since 2006. This, combined with remarkable solar irradiation, led to a quick boom on the Italian PV market. The purpose of the report is to study the Italian PV market situation and analyze the market potential and forecasts for the coming years.

This report examines the development of, and prospects for, the Italian PV market in the light of the country’s high potential for growth and the fact that political and public support are a given. The report discusses the legislative background, licensing processes, the potential of different market segments and market forecasts as well as describing the key stakeholders in the Italian PV market.

Index
1 – Management summary 5
2 - Report introduction 6
2.1 - Scope & goals 6
2.2 – Data sources 6
2.3 – Listing of tables, graphs & boxes 6
2.4 - About the author 8
2.5 - About Solarplaza 8
3 – General information about Italy 9
3.1 – General data 10
3.1.1 – The national electricity budget in 2008 10
3.2 – Energy policies and regulations 14
3.2.1 – The free energy market 14
3.2.2 – Incentives for energy production from renewable sources 16
3.3 - Conclusions 17
4. - Solar PV in Italy 18
4.1 – Solar radiation 18
4.2 – History of the PV market 20
4.2.1 – 2001, the first steps of the Italian PV market 20
4.2.2 – 2005, introduction of the feed-in-tariff 20
4.2.3 – 2008, results after three years of feed-in-tariff 21
4.2.3.1 – General results 21
4.2.3.2 – Regional results 23
4.2.4 – Position on the global market 24
4.2.5 – Market segments 26
4.2.5.1 – Development of stand-alone systems 28
4.2.6 – Market forecast 2009 - 2012 29
4.2.6.1 – Scenarios after 2010 32
4.2.6.2 – Towards grid-parity 33
4.2.7 – The price of turnkey modules and systems 36
4.3 – Government policies, initiatives and incentives 38
4.3.1 – D.M. dated 19/02/07, the new feed-in-tariff 38
4.3.2 – The incentive tariffs 39
4.3.3 – Increase in the tariff 40
4.3.4 – FiT cumulation 41
4.3.5 – Upgrading of the energy produced by the plant 41
4.3.5.1 – Sale of PV electricity 42
4.3.5.2 – Net metering 43
4.3.6 – Award for efficient use of energy in buildings 44
4.3.6.1 - Buildings that are being improved from the energy point of view 44
4.3.6.2 – New- builds 45
4.3.6.3 - D.P.R. 59/09 – installation requirement for PV plants on buildings 45
4.3.7 – GIFI’s proposal for the new FiT scheme after 2010 45
4.3.8 – Authorization and procedures 47
4.3.8.1 – Request to authorize construction of the plant 47
4.3.8.2 – Grid connection procedures 48
4.3.8.3 – Request for incentives 49
4.3.8.4 – Module certification 50
4.3.9 – Fiscal aspects of the PV 51
4.3.10 – National, regional and local tenders 54
4.4 – Project financing for PV 55
4.4.1 – The key players 58
4.5 – The key projects 59
4.6 – Examples of economic calculations 61
4.7 – Conclusions/SWOT analysis of the Italian PV market 63
5 – The industrial PV chain in Italy 65
5.1 – The chain structure 65
5.2 – The manufacturing industry 66
5.2.1 – Considerations 68
5.3 – Downstream players 69
5.4 – Professional associations 70
5.5 – The role of utilities 70
5.5.1 – Electricity grid operators in Italy 73
5.6 – Universities and research institutes 74
5.7 – Promotional channels 76
5.7.1 - Magazines 76
5.7.2 – Internet portals 76
5.7.3 – Exhibitions and conferences 76
5.8 - Conclusions 78
6 – General conclusions 79
6.1 – The market 79
6.2 – The industry value chain 79
6.3 – Final considerations 79
A.1 – relevant organizations & contact data 81
A2 – Directory of PV companies 85
A.3 – listing of the manufacturing industry 100
A.4 – Profile of key downstream players 102
A.5 – Profile of banks & investors 106
A.6 – Profile of energy utilities 112
A.7 Bibliography 116
A.8 - Abbreviations 118