by Catie Owen | Jan 5, 2026 | Europe, Large Scale Utility Solar
Skyworth PV, a global provider of photovoltaic solutions, has finalised an agreement to begin construction on a 10MW distributed power plant in Ocre, a town in Italy’s Abruzzo region.
This development follows the steady progress of a separate 10MW project in Bordeaux, France, as the company seeks to expand its renewable energy network across European markets.
The execution of the Italian agreement “reflects the role of global renewable energy providers in supporting the worldwide energy transition through bankable, long-term solutions.”
Project specs and impact
Located near the border of the Lazio and Abruzzo regions, the 10MW facility is expected to generate approximately 14.059m kWh of electricity annually once completed.
The project has reached the “Ready to Build” (RTB) stage and has secured a position in the Italian government’s feed-in tariff auction mechanism. This status is intended to ensure future grid connection and long-term revenue stability.
The project is being implemented through a joint venture between Skyworth PV and a local Italian partner. Within this structure, Skyworth PV serves as the EPC contractor, responsible for the plant’s overall construction and the supply of essential equipment.
The company utilises this model to integrate its technical manufacturing and financing capabilities with the local partner’s understanding of regional regulations and resources.
This collaboration is designed to establish a “commercially sustainable model of shared risk, shared benefit and complementary strengths,” providing a scalable framework for cross-border partnerships in the clean energy sector.
The start of the Ocre project, alongside ongoing initiatives in France, marks a milestone in Skyworth PV’s efforts to provide reliable solar infrastructure.
By focusing on established markets with mature regulatory frameworks, the company aims to continue its role in the global energy transition and expand access to clean power through localised partnerships and advanced technology.
Interested in Italy’s solar market? Don’t miss your free ticket to Solar & Storage Live Italia – taking place 7-8 October 2026 at the Veronafiere exhibition centre.
by Catie Owen | Dec 16, 2025 | Europe, Innovation
Italy has allocated over 1.1GW of solar capacity in a landmark tender reserved explicitly for projects that comply with the European Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA).
The results, published by the energy agency Gestore dei Servizi Energetici (GSE), reveal a highly competitive market ready to support European industrial capacity.
The tender, part of the transitional ‘FER X’ regime, required projects to use modules meeting strict EU manufacturing standards, effectively excluding Chinese-origin components.
Despite these supply chain constraints, demand was robust: 157 applications were submitted, totalling 1.84GW, with 88 projects ultimately securing support.
Competition
The selection process was driven entirely by price reductions, highlighting a market willing to squeeze margins to secure capacity. Successful applicants offered an average discount of 27.696% against the base operating price, with a maximum registered strike price of €73/MWh.
The most aggressive bids exceeded a 41% discount. Crucially, 34 projects – totalling 335MW – were deemed technically eligible but failed to secure funding simply because their offered discounts (mostly under 20%) were not competitive enough to enter the quota.
While small and medium installations were numerous, significant capacity was awarded to utility-scale projects exceeding 20MW, with some individual plants surpassing 100MW.
Geographically, the results confirmed a strong polarisation towards Southern Italy. Sicily secured most of the large-scale infrastructure, followed by Lazio, Puglia, and Calabria.
According to the GSE, this reflects the availability of suitable greenfield land and high solar irradiance in these regions.
Next steps
The publication of the rankings triggers a 36-month deadline for developers to bring these plants online. For the wider industry, this tender serves as a critical stress test for the EU’s solar manufacturing ambitions.
Interested in Italy’s solar market? Don’t miss your free ticket to Solar & Storage Live Italia – taking place 7-8 October 2026 at the Veronafiere exhibition centre.
by Catie Owen | Dec 8, 2025 | Commercial & Industrial Solar, Europe
Italian energy agency GSE has awarded Contract for Difference (CfD) tariffs to European Energy for five solar projects in Italy, totalling a combined capacity of 513MW.
The utility-scale assets are distributed across Sicily, Apulia, and Molise, establishing a portfolio supported by stable revenue frameworks.
The awarded projects, which include large-scale photovoltaic installations ranging from 20MW to 225MW, represent one of the most substantial solar development portfolios currently advancing under the FerX auction scheme.
The CfD mechanism is set to provide each project with a predictable price structure, offering essential revenue stability throughout its operational lifespan.
Alessandro Migliorini, Director and Country Manager of Italy at European Energy, explained: “The auction outcome provides clarity for the next steps in progressing these photovoltaic projects across Sicily, Apulia and Molise. The awarded tariffs offer a stable framework for the development of these projects.”
A key component of this portfolio is the Vizzini solar park in Sicily. This agri-PV installation is designed to integrate agricultural production with energy generation from solar panels.
Upon completion, the Vizzini park is projected to become the country’s largest solar park and the first of its kind in Italy, contributing significantly to the nation’s renewable energy goals.
Thorvald Spanggaard, Executive Vice President and Head of Project Development at European Energy, added: “This project underscores European Energy’s role in advancing Europe’s green transition.”
“The company’s continued commitment to the Italian market is reflected in this development, which supports Italy’s renewable energy ambitions.”
European Energy has a history in the Italian renewable energy sector, having previously developed and constructed solar and onshore wind parks. This includes the Troia solar park, which was completed in 2021 and grid-connected in 2022, holding the title of Italy’s largest solar park at the time.
As of 2025, European Energy has secured or signed 15 CfDs or Power Purchase Agreements across its various markets.
[Image credit: European Energy]
Interested in Italy’s solar market? Don’t miss your free ticket to Solar & Storage Live Italia – taking place 7-8 October 2026 at the Veronafiere exhibition centre.
by Catie Owen | Nov 10, 2025 | Asia, Commercial & Industrial Solar, Europe
Solar technology giant LONGi has signed a framework agreement with Milan-based renewable energy producer Chiron Energy for the supply of LONGi’s high-efficiency Hi-MO 9 modules between 2026 and 2027.
The partnership aims to advance Italy’s renewable energy expansion and support its net-zero emissions goals.
The agreement will see LONGi’s bifacial Hi-MO 9 photovoltaic (PV) modules deployed across new and repowering projects throughout northern and central Italy. The plants will operate under various national incentive schemes, including CONTO ENERGIA and the FER X decree.
According to the companies, upgrading existing installations with the new modules could double current production capacity while cutting carbon emissions and supporting energy independence.
LONGi’s Hi-MO 9 modules use Back Contact (HPBC 2.0) technology, which removes metal grid lines from the cell surface to improve light absorption and raise conversion efficiency to 24.8%.
The modules are also designed to perform well in low-light conditions and come with a 30-year linear degradation warranty.
Claudio Gigli, CEO of Chiron Energy, said: “Our decision to partner with LONGi, a leading Tier 1 manufacturer, is part of our corporate strategy to propose projects with high ratings from the stakeholders involved in their implementation, starting with the quality of the authorised project, financing and the construction of the plants themselves.
“Our Engineering and Technical Compliance team pays particular attention to identifying win-win solutions from a technical and economic point of view, and we are particularly focused on technologically reliable and innovative solutions in the context of ESG practices and supply chain traceability and transparency with reference to the innovative Back Contact technology industrialised by LONGi.”
Stefano Salica, Sales Director Italy at LONGi, described the agreement as “a landmark achievement for LONGi in the Italian market,” highlighting that it “signifies the mutual commitment of both companies to drive the green energy transition forward.”
Francesco Emmolo, General Manager Italy and Greece of LONGi, added: “By deploying these PV plants with our advanced Hi-MO 9 modules, we are not just supplying technology; we are enabling Italy to significantly reduce its carbon emissions and stabilise its energy costs.”
by Catie Owen | Nov 3, 2025 | Europe, Large Scale Utility Solar
Amazon says it has added nearly one gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy capacity to European electricity grids through 20 new wind and solar projects that came online this year.
The projects span five countries: 12 in Spain, three in Italy, three in Poland, one in Germany, and one in Greece, collectively capable of powering more than 700,000 European homes annually.
The company now supports over 230 renewable energy projects across Europe through power purchase agreements (PPAs).
These contracts provide developers with the financial certainty to build new clean energy infrastructure and feed additional renewable power into national grids.
Among the new projects are Baltic Eagle, one of Germany’s largest offshore wind farms, where Amazon has committed to offtake 189 MW of capacity, and the Miłkowice solar farm in Poland, its first renewable project in the country, with an 87 MW commitment.
Across Europe, Amazon has more than 40 operational renewable energy facilities, including 18 in Spain, eight in Finland, five in Sweden, four in Ireland, and two each in the UK, Italy, and the Netherlands. A further 70 projects are expected to come online by 2030.
The company says it is focusing on expanding in regions with carbon-intensive grids, including Poland and Germany, to accelerate decarbonisation across the continent.
“With more than 160 wind and solar projects in Europe, Amazon is helping to provide new sources of clean energy to local grids, creating jobs, and supporting local businesses as we progress toward powering our operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025,” said Lindsay McQuade, Amazon’s Director of Energy for EMEA.
Amazon claims to be Europe’s largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy and aims to power all its operations with renewables by 2025, five years ahead of its original target.
by Catie Owen | Oct 17, 2025 | Europe, Innovation
Sponsored Content
With more than fifty years of experience in renewable energy, ESPE S.p.A. has built a reputation for engineering precision and innovation.
Under the leadership of CEO Enrico Meneghetti, the company continues to prioritise operational excellence over price competition, delivering long-term value and reliability across its photovoltaic projects.
In an interview that coincided with this year’s Solar & Storage Live Italia show, Meneghetti discusses how ESPE’s integrated approach to design, construction, and maintenance supports its mission to drive sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive solar market.
In an increasingly competitive market, where price often appears to be the main driver, why does ESPE choose instead to focus on operational excellence?
The photovoltaic sector has reached a stage of maturity and competitiveness where further gains based solely on price are now marginal.
Operational excellence, on the other hand, not only enables higher profit margins but also delivers tangible, measurable, long-term benefits: increased revenues and reduced operating costs year after year, along with better preservation of asset value over time.
Excellence is an ambitious concept – how does it translate, in practical terms, into the way you design and operate photovoltaic systems?
Our guiding principle is to treat the entire process – from development through to maintenance – as a single, integrated workflow, where each phase is carried out with the goal of maximising the outcomes of the next.
Achieving this requires, above all, a deep and continuously refined level of expertise, built through years of experience across every stage of the value chain.
Another essential element is maintaining direct control over these stages, ensuring that the company’s economic interest extends throughout the process rather than being confined to just one part of it – which could otherwise compromise the overall objective.
Many operators might wonder whether investing in plant excellence truly pays off, given that differences in production yield can seem small. What is the real return, and how does this approach align with ESPE’s long-term strategy?
Field data shows production increases of several percentage points. At first glance, that may appear modest, but it represents a significant and recurring boost in profitability – repeated year after year for at least two decades.
Moreover, this approach enhances the long-term reliability of our plants: extraordinary maintenance and revamping are both postponed and far less extensive than usual. This not only strengthens the long-term business plan but also increases the future value of the asset.
Our commitment to operational excellence has defined ESPE for decades – and now, more than ever, we are convinced that it must remain a cornerstone of our strategy in the years ahead.
Don’t miss out on your free ticket to the next edition of Solar & Storage Live Italia, taking place in Verona 7-8 October 2026. or find an event near you.
by Catie Owen | Oct 6, 2025 | Commercial & Industrial Solar, Europe, Everything Installer, Large Scale Utility Solar, Storage
Press Release
Terrapinn are delighted to announce the latest addition to their global portfolio, Solar & Storage Live Italia, to be held at the Veronafiere during 8 – 9 October 2025.
Doors open on Wednesday 8th October, with 3,000 solar professionals expected to attend and headlined by a keynote address from Damiano Tommasi, Mayor of Verona.
Solar & Storage Live Italia is set to be Italy’s most exciting dedicated solar & storage trade exhibition, taking place for the first time in Verona, Italy. The event is organised by Terrapinn, with the support and cooperation of Veronafiere and Comune di Verona. It is supported at the highest level by sponsors Contact Italia, Failte Solar and Sunman, as well as renewable energy associations including ANIE Federazione, Kyoto Club, Legacoop, Elettricità Futura and the Global Solar Council.
The launch edition will bring together global and Italian suppliers Forniture Fotovoltaiche, ESPE, WiseGlow, Amara NZero, Chint PVSTAR, Huawei, Energy3000, Shanghai Elecnova Energy Storage Co., SolaX Power, who are among 100 exhibitors and innovative startups showcasing the latest solar and energy storage solutions.
With 3,000 attendees expected from across Italy, and high attendance from Verona and the Veneto region, it provides a one-stop destination for everything needed to deliver Italy’s commercial, industrial and residential solar and energy storage projects.
The event is free to attend and is a must-attend for installers, property owners, developers, landowners, and professionals working in the solar and energy sector who have registered on the website here.
The dynamic event format will provide Italy’s solar community with the opportunity to gather together to find suppliers and partners, and discover first-hand the tools, technologies and insights to grow their business, increase revenues and achieve energy independence.
Sean Willis, Managing Director, Terrapinn UK, comments:
“We’re thrilled to bring our successful Solar & Storage Live event formula to Italy and to launch another renewable energy exhibition that celebrates the technologies at the forefront of industry.
We’re excited to be opening our doors on 8th October, after a year in the planning, working with Veronafiere and our stakeholders, to realise this show. The co-location of events with McTER Expo provides an exciting new meeting place for the renewable energy sector. We are very pleased with the response and level of local support for the show.”
Event highlights
Exhibition: The event will convene key players from across the energy value chain, alongside pioneers and disruptors, to present the technology and service solutions essential for driving change in solar and storage. Headlining the event will be Platinum Sponsor Contact Italia, Gold Sponsors Sunman and Failte Solar, and Storage Theatre Sponsor Huawei.
Programme: The trade fair features four theatres and a comprehensive agenda covering a range of topic,s including large-scale utility solar, commercial and industrial solar, storage and batteries, and residential-scale solar installation.
Other features on the show floor: The Start-up Zone will feature 50 cutting-edge energy sector innovators and experts who can help deliver solar projects and make them a reality.
View more event highlights here.
Agenda highlights
The programme will commence from 10:00, Wednesday 8th October, with a keynote address from Damiano Tommasi, Mayor of Verona.
Over 150 speakers will participate in the extensive agenda across four stages, and you can expect to hear from representatives from some of the biggest and most innovative energy organisations based in Italy and globally. The programme is free to all event attendees registered for the event here
Leaders from the solar & storage industry will share their insights, case studies and expertise on critical subjects impacting the region, such as:
- Powering tomorrow: solar PV in 2025 and beyond, from solar parks to agrivoltaics and floating photovoltaics
- The role of energy storage in combination with other alternative renewable power sources
- Strategies and challenges in solar energy integration
- Financing projects and securing investment in the Italian battery market
- Raising public support for solar
View the full agenda here and speaker line-up here
Co-located with mcTER Expo
Solar & Storage Live Italia is co-located with mcTER EXPO – one location and two unmissable events for the renewable energy industry.
Opening times:
Wednesday 8 October: 09:30 – 17:00
Thursday 9 October 2025: 09:30– 17:00
Find out more about Solar & Storage Live Italia on our website here.
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by Catie Owen | Oct 3, 2025 | Europe, Innovation
Italy is positioning itself as both a regulatory pioneer and a leader in renewable energy, with its new artificial intelligence law arriving alongside a rapid expansion in solar and storage.
Giorgia Meloni’s government has passed the EU’s first comprehensive AI law, aiming for “human-centric, transparent and safe AI use” while focusing on “innovation, cybersecurity and privacy protections.”
Alessio Butti, undersecretary for digital transformation, said the law “brings innovation back within the perimeter of the public interest, steering AI toward growth, rights and full protection of citizens.”
As AI is made both safer and more accessible to the public, solar and storage innovators have more opportunities to get hands-on with a game-changing technology for the industry.
Solar meets AI
Italy’s solar industry is expanding quickly. Installed photovoltaic capacity surpassed 26 GW in 2023, a 20% increase from the previous year, and the government’s National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan targets 52 GW by 2030.
Solar already provides over 11% of national electricity, with southern regions such as Puglia and Sicily benefiting from favourable conditions.
Yet challenges remain: regulatory delays, grid bottlenecks, and storage integration are slowing progress. Analysts estimate that for every euro invested in renewables, 60 cents must go toward grid and storage upgrades to ensure stability.
AI could help address these bottlenecks. Machine learning tools are already being deployed to forecast solar generation more accurately, optimise battery storage, and cut downtime through predictive maintenance.
Initiatives such as Open Climate Fix’s “Quartz Solar AI Nowcasting,” which uses satellite and weather data to improve forecasts, show how smart software can improve grid reliability and reduce costs.
Recent financing deals, such as Enfinity Global’s €316m package for eight new solar plants across Italy, highlight investor confidence.
But the next phase of growth may depend on whether Italy can align its €1bn AI investment fund with clean energy priorities, supporting applications from grid-balancing platforms to advanced storage management.
If successful, Italy’s twin push on AI and renewables could not only stabilise its grid but also position the country as a European hub for ethically governed, technologically advanced clean energy.
Italy Solar Week marks the leadup to Solar & Storage Live Italia, taking place in Verona 8 – 9 October. Secure your free place here, or find an event near you.
by Catie Owen | Oct 2, 2025 | Europe, Innovation
With the inaugural edition of Solar & Storage Live Italia on the horizon (8-9 October), we spoke to Andrea Praticò from Canadian Solar.
Andrea discussed the evolution of the storage sector in Europe, the incentive frameworks in Italy the company are keeping an eye on, and their latest energy storage solution.
“Over the next decade, we expect home energy storage in Europe – and particularly Italy – to become a standard component of residential PV systems, not a niche add-on.”
What was the original vision behind EP Cube, and how does it fit into Canadian Solar’s broader residential storage strategy in Italy?
Andrea: The original vision behind EP Cube was to give homeowners a flexible, future-proof, and user-friendly energy storage solution that adapts to their evolving needs. Designed with modularity at its core, customers can start with a smaller capacity and expand as their consumption or EV charging needs grow.
In Italy, this fits perfectly into the growing residential market: we want to empower households to maximise self-consumption of solar, reduce energy bills, and gain resilience against rising energy costs. With Italy’s high solar penetration and growing interest in electrification, EP Cube offers a new way to fully bring value to homes and businesses.
How do you see home energy storage evolving in Europe and Italy over 5–10 years, and what role do you expect EP Cube to play in that evolution?
Andrea: Over the next decade, we expect home energy storage in Europe – and particularly Italy – to become a standard component of residential PV systems, not a niche add-on. Three trends will drive this:
- Increasing electricity price volatility, which strengthens the case for storage.
- Electrification of transport and heating, which raises household energy demand and the need for smart management.
- Integration with flexibility markets, where households can contribute to grid stability and earn revenue.
EP Cube is positioned to play a leading role in this evolution because of its scalability, smart integration with PV and EV charging, and sleek design that suits Italian homes. It’s not just a battery; it’s an energy management hub that prepares households for the future of distributed energy.
How do you expect the regulatory and incentive frameworks in Italy (or the EU) to influence EP Cube adoption?
Andrea: In Italy, incentives have historically been crucial for driving solar adoption, and we see a similar role for storage. Programs like the Superbonus and Communita Energetica (CER) have boosted awareness, even though they are being phased out. Going forward, we expect:
- EU-level initiatives, like the Green Deal and REPowerEU, to accelerate distributed energy solutions.
- Italian policies focusing on grid resilience and decarbonisation, where storage will be central.
- Potential new regional incentives for self-consumption and grid services.
These frameworks will lower barriers for households to adopt EP Cube, making it easier to justify investment while reinforcing the long-term trend towards energy independence.
Ahead of Solar & Storage Live Italia in October, what are you hoping to showcase or communicate to the Italian market via EP Cube?
Andrea: At Solar & Storage Live Italia, we want to show Italian customers and partners what makes EP Cube unique:
- Its modularity – households can scale their storage over time.
- Its design – compact, modern, and easy to install, fitting seamlessly into Italian homes.
- Its intelligence – smart energy management, compatibility with EV charging, and integration with PV.
This year we are especially excited to showcase our three-phase EP Cube together with our partner Exsal. This version has been launched this year and which meets the needs of larger Italian households and aligns with the country’s grid requirements.
In addition, we will present our upcoming EP Cube HEMS (Home Energy Management System), which will enable even smarter optimisation of household energy flows, helping families integrate PV, storage, EVs, and appliances into a single intelligent platform. We are already collaborating with software partners such as Home Connect to develop this important feature.
As you can see, EP Cube is redefining energy generation and management by maximising efficiency, enhancing comfort, and making sustainable living smarter.
Canadian Solar will be attending Solar & Storage Live Italia – find them at stand C65.
Italy Solar Week marks the leadup to Solar & Storage Live Italia, taking place in Verona 8 – 9 October. Secure your free place here, or find an event near you.
by Catie Owen | Oct 1, 2025 | Commercial & Industrial Solar, Europe, Large Scale Utility Solar
Italy’s solar industry is gaining ground as the government seeks to accelerate renewable deployment and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.
A combination of policy-driven auctions and private investment has fuelled a wave of activity in recent months, with developers competing for capacity and companies pursuing acquisitions and financing deals.
Against the backdrop of the EU’s decarbonisation targets, Italy is positioning itself as one of Europe’s most active solar markets. Here, we outline just a few of the country’s most recent solar achievements.
Auction interest under FER X / NZIA constraints
Italy’s latest solar tender under the transitional FER X decree has drawn strong developer interest. The GSE (Gestore dei Servizi Energetici) received 273 expressions of interest totalling 3,161MW for the second auction portion.
This follows an earlier round that attracted roughly 10GW of solar-PV bids.
The second auction is subject to new rules in line with the EU’s Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA), aiming to diversify supply chains and limit reliance on Chinese-made components.
The 10GW bid wave
The first auction under the new mechanism saw 10GW of solar PV bids, prompting the government to immediately open a second round under stricter component sourcing rules.
The second round, expected to allocate 200MW to 1.6GW, will only admit projects using modules, cells and inverters not manufactured in China for plants over 1MW.
The initial round had 818 project proposals totalling over 10.1GW.
Iberdrola’s acquisition: 9.6MW in Molise
Spanish utility Iberdrola’s Italian arm has acquired Montenero Green Energy Srl, the owner of a 9.6MW PV project in Molise.
According to the announcement, all necessary authorisations and permits are already secured for construction. This move supports Iberdrola’s strategy to expand in the Italian solar market, adding to its footprint and pipeline in the country.
X-ELIO sells 50 MW Sicilian project to PLT Energia
X-ELIO has sold a 50MW solar PV project in Sicily (Castelvetrano) to Italian renewables firm PLT Energia.
The plant is expected to generate around 92 GWh annually. Nicholas Pentreath of X-ELIO said, “We are proud to close this agreement with PLT Energia, which culminates the effort and the relationship between two leading renewable companies.”
PLT’s CEO, Stefano Marulli, added, “This transaction represents a further step in PLT Energia’s growth strategy, aimed at consolidating an integrated platform in the renewable energy market on a national scale.”
Enfinity Global secures €316m for 276MW
Enfinity Global has closed €316m in project financing to build eight utility-scale solar plants across Emilia-Romagna, Basilicata, and Lazio, totalling 276MW.
Expected commercial operation is by the end of 2026. Annual output is estimated at 403 GWh, avoiding some 109,000 tCO₂e emissions. Carlos Domenech, CEO of Enfinity, said: “We are proud to partner with Rabobank, BNP Paribas, and ING to continue accelerating the energy transition in Italy.”
Broader implications and outlook
With developer appetite outpacing available auction capacity and major deals continuing across the private sector, Italy’s solar market is entering a pivotal phase.
The country faces the challenge of reconciling supply-chain requirements with its need to accelerate deployment. However, with significant financing already flowing into large-scale projects and international players reinforcing their presence, Italy’s progress could prove decisive in helping the EU reach its renewable energy and climate targets.
Italy Solar Week marks the leadup to Solar & Storage Live Italia, taking place in Verona 8 – 9 October. Secure your free place here, or find an event near you.
by Catie Owen | Sep 30, 2025 | Commercial & Industrial Solar, Europe
Econergy Renewable Energy has announced the signing of a project finance agreement to support a portfolio of 12 solar PV projects in Italy, with a total capacity of around 64.3MW.
On 26 September 2025, Eco Holdco 1 S.r.l., wholly owned by EcoGreenDev (Lux), finalised the deal with UniCredit S.p.A.
The financing, worth approximately €58m, marks Econergy’s first project-level funding in Italy. According to the company, the agreement “represents a milestone in advancing Econergy’s Italian portfolio.”
The company expects a near-term financial close for eight projects (about 23MW), with the remaining four (around 41MW) to follow once they reach Ready-to-Build status.
While subject to conditions precedent, the transaction is viewed as a step forward in strengthening Econergy’s Italian pipeline and supporting its broader European strategy.
The financing package includes facilities to cover construction, VAT, guarantees, debt service, and a True-Up facility linked to the execution of the power purchase agreement. Funds will be drawn down in stages, starting with the first cluster of eight projects and later extending to the second cluster.
Econergy noted that the funding will “be used primarily to fund and/or refund construction and development costs, and support VAT, guarantees, debt service, and a True-Up facility.”
Italy forms one of Econergy’s main European growth markets, with a development pipeline of about 2.5 GW.
The company stated that the deal “not only reflects confidence in the Company’s development and execution capabilities but also demonstrates Econergy’s financial strength and commitment to expanding its portfolio of connected and under-construction projects across Europe.”
Italy Solar Week marks the leadup to Solar & Storage Live Italia, taking place in Verona 8 – 9 October. Secure your free place here, or find an event near you.
by Catie Owen | Sep 29, 2025 | Europe, Everything Installer, Innovation, Press Release
Press Release
Chloris, the AI‑native platform for utility‑scale renewables project developers, will launch its “grid connection” product (Grid Connector) at Solar & Storage Live Italia in Verona on 8‑9 October.
About Chloris
Utility‑scale renewable projects are worth millions of dollars, yet development processes are often fragmented, manual and subjective, with only outdated tools in support of developers.
Furthermore, the common approach is to treat each phase (land acquisition, permitting, grid connection, techno‑economic analysis and PPAs to name a few) in isolation, leading to missed opportunities and sub‑optimal outcomes.
Chloris is building an AI‑first platform that unifies every key step in the utility-scale renewables development journey. Within a single collaborative workspace, developers can test numerous project variants via specialised tools, integrations with other products, and context‑aware agents, allowing them to find the best projects to develop – at scale.
Tackling the grid‑connection bottleneck
In Europe, grid access has become the primary barrier to deploying large‑scale solar and storage projects. Internal research reveals that over 80 % of utility‑scale solar & BESS projects fail because they cannot secure a feasible connection. For some developers, the failure rate reaches 98 %.
Italy illustrates the scale of the challenge: Terna (Italian TSO) reports more than 350 GW of pending connection requests, compared with a national target of only 65 GW of new renewable capacity by 2030 [1].
However, most of these projects will never see the light, being the result of speculative tactics enabled by the current legislation, and are now clogging the connection queue with virtual congestion that will never concretize.
To solve this problem, the Italian authorities are now reforming how grid rights are allocated. Under the new DL Energia decree [2], expected to enter into force soon, Terna is expected to get rid of 60% of the connection queue [3] and get a fresh start through the open‑season mechanism for allocating new grid capacity [4].
Introducing Grid Connector
To help developers navigate this upheaval, Chloris is launching Grid Connector, the first specialised tool within its platform. Grid Connector aggregates and enriches grid‑connection data from open‑source and official sources and overlays proprietary insights, giving solar and BESS developers a comprehensive view of the network. Key features include:
- Comprehensive network mapping: Users will have access to the whole Italian energy infrastructure – cleaned, normalised and enriched – like substations, power lines, power / storage plants and more in operation, under construction and in development;
- Congestion analysis: The tool estimates virtual (and soon real) congestion at the substation level, considering connected, contracted and pending capacity, helping developers to quickly identify nodes with available capacity or potential bottlenecks;
- Cost and timeframe forecasting: Grid Connector forecasts connection costs and timelines based on plant type, configuration and location, helping developers to choose the optimal locations and configurations for their projects.
- Parallel scenario testing: Built‑in AI agents allow users to run multiple connection scenarios concurrently, compare outcomes and iterate rapidly.
Together, these functions give developers the intelligence they need to target projects with a high probability of connection and to avoid wasting time and capital on congested nodes.
Meet Chloris in Verona
Chloris will reveal Grid Connector at Solar & Storage Live Italia in Verona. Visitors to the Start‑up Zone can see it at the stand S20.
To learn more about Chloris or to book a private demo, please visit chloris.ai and leave your email there, or contact one of the founders on LinkedIn (Alessandro | Andrea).
[1] Terna’s Econnextion platform
[2] Article from “Rinnovabili.it” on the DL Energia 2025
[3] Article from “Advant” on the DL Energia 2025
[4] Terna’s “Piano di Sviluppo 2025”
Italy Solar Week marks the leadup to Solar & Storage Live Italia, taking place in Verona 8 – 9 October. Secure your free place here, or find an event near you.
by Catie Owen | Sep 10, 2025 | Europe, Large Scale Utility Solar
Press Release
Iberdrola and Selex Gruppo Commerciale have signed a renewable energy purchase agreement – known as a PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) – for a total of 1,250 GWh.
The agreement, signed with the distribution leader SELEX, will provide photovoltaic energy for a volume of 125 GWh per year and a capacity of 77 MW, starting in July 2026.
This collaboration represents an important step towards greater competitiveness and an acceleration of the industrial electrification process in Italy, with an estimated reduction in annual emissions of approximately 37,000 tons of CO₂, equivalent to the planting of 1.5 million trees.
Selex Group is the leading organised modern distribution group in Italy. Comprising 18 affiliated companies, it operates a commercial network of 3.331 retail outlets offering a wide variety of formats, ranging from hypermarkets to discount stores. The Group’s nationally recognised brands include “Famila,” “A&O,” and “C+C,” alongside regional brands that are often market leaders in their respective areas. The workforce exceeds 42,600 employees
It is an agreement with an innovative contractual structure: the formula of the framework agreement allows energy to be distributed among the various Associated Companies of the Selex Group, with common contractual clauses.
With this agreement, Iberdrola supports Selex Group in its decarbonization objectives. The signing of this agreement demonstrates how the PPA is a key tool in the decarbonisation strategy of Italian industries, allowing them to mitigate the ever-present risk of energy price volatility in the medium term.
Selex assures being satisfied of having closed an agreement with Iberdrola for the realisation of a PPA which adds value to the existing sinergies among the Associated Companies in terms of energy supply.
The group considers that it was necessary to adopt an innovative and long-term modality, which would allow group companies to stabilise part of their energy costs over time and address sustainability issues in a more structured and effective way
Iberdrola has been confirmed for the second consecutive year as the leader in the European PPA market, according Pexapark Renewables Market Outlook 2025 report. The group has signed several agreements in Europe with large companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Salzgitter, Mercedes-Benz and Vodafone.
Thanks to this new agreement, the company consolidates its position in the Italian PPA market, where it has already signed agreements with industrial companies such as BTicino, Bayer, Acciaierie Venete and other groups in the large-scale distribution segment, for which contracts have been activated for the supply of green energy from photovoltaic plants operating in the national territory.
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by Catie Owen | Sep 10, 2025 | Commercial & Industrial Solar, Europe, Large Scale Utility Solar, Storage
Terrapinn, with the co-operation and support of Veronafiere, are delighted to announce the latest addition to their global portfolio of Solar & Storage Live events to be held at the Veronafiere during 8 – 9 October 2025.
Solar & Storage Live Italia is set to be Italy’s most exciting dedicated solar & storage trade exhibition, taking place for the first time in Verona, Italy.
The Italian solar market is growing rapidly as part of Europe’s energy transition and the city of Verona, in the centre of Italy’s industrial, commercial and agricultural heartland makes it the perfect location to host the event.
The event is organised by Terrapinn, with the support and cooperation of Veronafiere, and Comune di Verona. It is supported at the highest level by renewable energy associations including ANIE Federazione, Kyoto Club, Legacoop, Elettricità Futura and the Global Solar Council.
The launch edition will bring together global and Italian suppliers, including our event sponsors Contact Italia, Sunman, Failte Solar, Huawei and over 100 exhibitors and innovative startups showcasing the latest solar and energy storage solutions.
With 3,000 attendees expected from across Italy, and high attendance from Verona and the Veneto region, it provides a one-stop destination for everything needed to deliver Italy’s commercial, industrial and residential solar and energy storage projects.
The event is free to attend and is a must attend for installers, property owners, developers, landowners, and professionals working in the solar and energy sector who have registered on the website here.
The dynamic event format will provide Italy’s solar community with the opportunity to gather together to find suppliers and partners, and discover first-hand the tools, technologies and insights to grow their business, increase revenues and achieve energy independence.
Sean Willis, Managing Director, Terrapinn UK comments:
“We’re excited to bring our successful Solar & Storage Live event formula to Italy and to launch another renewable energy exhibition that celebrates the technologies at the forefront of industry.
We’re delighted to be opening our doors in October, after a year in the planning working with Veronafiere and our stakeholders, to realise this show. The co-location of events with McTER Expo provides an exciting new meeting place for the renewable energy sector. We feel we have strong partners and are very pleased with the response and level of local institutional support for the show.”
Adolfo Rebughini, General Manager of Veronafiere, adds:
“The collaboration with Terrapin allows us to reinforce our Group’s commitment to promoting events focused on ESG issues, which we consider vital for sustainable growth across all sectors. Energy efficiency, hydrogen, bioenergy, and solar are not only key areas for the ecological transition but also important drivers of development. This commitment to sustainability is at the core of our strategy, as also reaffirmed in our ONE-Veronafiere Development Plan to 2026.”
Event highlights
Exhibition: The event will convene key players from across the energy value chain, alongside pioneers and disruptors, to present the technology and service solutions essential for driving change in solar and storage. Headlining the event will be Platinum Sponsor Contact Italia, Gold Sponsors Sunman and Failte Solar, and Storage Theatre Sponsor Huawei.
Programme: The trade fair features four theatres and a comprehensive agenda covering a range of topics including large-scale utility solar, commercial and industrial solar, storage and batteries, and residential-scale solar installation.
Other features on the show floor: The Start-up Zone and Installer Zone will feature 50 cutting-edge energy sector innovators, and experts who can help deliver solar projects and make them a reality.
View more event highlights here
Agenda highlights
The programme will commence from 10:00, Wednesday 8th October with a keynote address from Damiano Tommsi, Mayor of Verona.
Over 150 speakers will participate in the extensive agenda across four stages, and you can expect to hear from representatives from some of the biggest and most innovative energy organisations based in Italy and globally. The programme is free to all event attendees registered for the event here
Leaders from the solar & storage industry will share their insights, case studies and expertise on critical subjects impacting the region such as:
- Powering tomorrow: solar PV in 2025 and beyond, from solar parks to agrivoltaics and floating photovoltaics
- The role of energy storage in combination with other alternative renewable power sources
- Strategies and challenges in solar energy integration
- Financing projects and securing investment in the Italian battery market
- Raising public support for solar
View the full agenda here and speaker line-up here
Co-localizzate con McTER Expo
Solar & Storage Live Italia è lieta di svolgersi in concomitanza con mcTER EXPO – un’unica location, due eventi imperdibili. mcTER è l’evento di riferimento per l’efficienza energetica nell’industria e nel terziario da 18 anni, con eventi annuali. Unisciti a noi a Verona l’8 e il 9 ottobre.
Opening times:
Wednesday 8 October: 09:30 – 17:00
Thursday 9 October 2025: 09:30– 17:00
Find out more about Solar & Storage Live Italia on our website here.
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by Catie Owen | Aug 27, 2025 | Commercial & Industrial Solar, Europe
Zenith Energy Ltd. has reported developments in its Italian solar portfolio, including an upgrade to its Piedmont project.
The Piedmont project, first planned as a 7MWp agrivoltaic installation, has been reclassified as a 10MWp solar energy development following regulatory changes.
Zenith said this would improve project economics, simplify technical design, and boost electricity production and revenue potential, strengthening its position in Italy’s solar market.
The company has also acquired another agrivoltaic project in Lazio, bringing its pipeline in the region to 15MWp. The newly secured site covers 10 hectares and is planned for a 5MWp installation.
Zenith will pay €650,000 for the project once permitting and construction milestones are reached.
Chief Executive Andrea Cattaneo said the firm’s regional “cluster” approach aims to deliver efficiencies and long-term value. “The addition of a second agrivoltaic project in Lazio increases our regional development capacity to 15MWp and marks a further step in strengthening Zenith’s Italian solar portfolio,” he said.
“Together with our development pipeline in Piedmont, the Lazio acquisition establishes two development clusters in the two most attractive regions of Italy for solar energy production,” Cattaneo added.
“We remain focused on a disciplined, step-by-step strategy to build a diversified, scalable and cash-generative solar portfolio.
“We will continue to grow assets under management as opportunities arise to build an operation with substantial realisable value that delivers sustainable value for shareholders.”
Zenith noted that a 55MWp Italian portfolio, its stated goal, could generate around 97,795MWh annually, equating to an estimated €9m in annual revenues between 2026 and 2031, and around €8m thereafter.
Interested in Italy’s solar market? Don’t miss your free ticket to Solar & Storage Live Italia – taking place 8-9 October at the Veronafiere exhibition centre.
by Catie Owen | Aug 21, 2025 | Europe, Large Scale Utility Solar
Italy has crossed a major renewable energy milestone, exceeding 2m grid-connected PV systems and 40GW of installed capacity, according to new figures from ITALIA SOLARE.
As of 30 July 2025, the country counted 2,011,056 PV systems with a combined capacity of 40,430 MW. In the first seven months of 2025 alone, 132,276 new systems were connected, adding 3,354 MW.
Paolo Rocco Viscontini, President of ITALIA SOLARE, commented:
“We have reached a symbolic milestone: 2m installations represent millions of families, businesses, and governments who have chosen a clean, reliable, and autonomous source. Today, photovoltaics is no longer a marginal option; it is an integral part of our energy infrastructure.”
Viscontini urged policymakers to remove barriers slowing down further development:
“It’s time to accelerate the mechanisms that support self-consumption and integration with storage, overcoming the bureaucratic and legislative slowness that is still hindering the development of an energy system based on clean technologies that can ensure our country’s low and stable energy prices over time.”
Residential growth and incentives
Between 2020 and 2024, residential PV connections in Italy grew significantly. Average monthly installations rose from 22 MW in 2020 to 140 MW in 2024, with a peak of 188 MW in 2023 during the height of the Superbonus scheme.
In the first half of 2025, installations averaged 88 MW per month – four times higher than pre-Superbonus levels, indicating strong demand even without extraordinary incentives.
The trend has been supported by falling technology costs, particularly in photovoltaic and electrochemical storage, and rising consumer awareness of the financial benefits of solar.
Regional distribution
The regions with the highest number of solar systems are also some of Italy’s most populous. Lombardy leads with 326,586 PV systems, followed by Veneto (274,699), Emilia-Romagna (198,003), Lazio (141,210), Sicily (136,511), and Piedmont (134,729).
In terms of installed capacity, Lombardy again ranks first with 5,419 MW, followed by Veneto (4,055 MW), Puglia (3,912 MW), Emilia-Romagna (3,855 MW), and Lazio (3,787 MW).
Driving the energy transition
ITALIA SOLARE noted that solar’s role is becoming increasingly central as electrification accelerates across heating, mobility, and industry.
“Photovoltaics, integrated with storage systems and digitalisation, meets these needs and enables a more flexible and participatory system,” the association said.
With the European Union targeting full decarbonisation of building stock by 2050, Italy’s PV sector is expected to continue expanding.
Interested in Italy’s solar market? Don’t miss your free ticket to Solar & Storage Live Italia – taking place 8-9 October at the Veronafiere exhibition centre.
by Catie Owen | Aug 6, 2025 | Europe, Large Scale Utility Solar
Zenith Energy has announced the acquisition of a 10MWp agrivoltaic solar project in Lazio, Italy, via its wholly owned subsidiary WESOLAR S.R.L.
The deal marks the company’s largest solar acquisition to date and supports its strategy to build a 20MWp portfolio by the end of 2025.
The €1.3m acquisition includes the purchase of the land and is conditional on the project reaching Ready-to-Build (RTB) status within 12 months.
Agrivoltaic systems combine solar power production with agricultural activity, allowing for dual land use and supporting sustainability goals.
Zenith’s current solar portfolio spans four regions in Italy. These include an operational 0.5MWp site in Liguria (currently generating 0.2MWp), a 3MWp RTB asset in Puglia, and development-stage agrivoltaic projects in Piedmont (7MWp) and Lazio (10MWp).
“We are pleased to announce the Acquisition our largest to date,” said CEO Andrea Cattaneo.
“This milestone holds significant symbolic value because it marks the early achievement of our strategic goal of building a 20 MWp production capacity portfolio by the end of 2025.”
Cattaneo further highlighted the company’s due diligence process and financing strategy:
“Each project we pursue is subject to rigorous technical and legal due diligence… Looking ahead, we intend to leverage favourable financing options tailored to Italy’s solar sector to accelerate our expansion and minimise equity dilution.”
Zenith aims to develop projects at various stages, with a focus on rapid investment recovery and long-term sustainability.
Interested in Italy’s solar market? Don’t miss your free ticket to Solar & Storage Live Italia – taking place 8-9 October at the Veronafiere exhibition centre.
by Catie Owen | Jul 23, 2025 | Commercial & Industrial Solar, Europe, Everything Installer, Large Scale Utility Solar
Registration is now open for Solar & Storage Live Italia 2025 – Italy’s most exciting new exhibition for solar energy, battery storage, and smart energy solutions.
Taking place in Verona on 8-9 October 2025, the event is free to attend.
Designed specifically for installers, solar professionals, and large energy users operating within the Italian market, Solar & Storage Live Italia is the go-to event for connecting with the key players driving the country’s energy transition.
More than 100 exhibitors, including established brands and innovative startups, will be showcasing the latest technologies and services.
Among them are event sponsors Contact Italia and Sunman, both at the forefront of innovation in the sector.
Attendees will also have access to a comprehensive two-day conference programme featuring 150 expert speakers from across the solar, storage, and energy management industries. The event will be officially opened with a keynote address from the Mayor of Verona.
Solar & Storage Live Italia 2025 is proud to be working in partnership with AINE Federazione, Kyoto Club, and Legacoop – organisations committed to advancing the clean energy agenda across the country.
Whether you’re looking to expand your network, stay ahead of market trends, or discover the latest breakthroughs in solar and storage, this is the must-attend event for Italy’s clean energy professionals.
Don’t miss your chance to attend – register for free here.
Interested in Italy’s solar market? Don’t miss your free ticket to Solar & Storage Live Italia – taking place 8-9 October at the Veronafiere exhibition centre.
by Catie Owen | Jul 21, 2025 | Americas, Asia, Commercial & Industrial Solar, Europe
US-based independent power producer Enfinity Global has sold a 49% equity stake in its 402MW solar portfolio in Italy to the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), Azerbaijan’s national sovereign wealth fund.
The portfolio includes 14 solar PV plants – both operational and under construction – across the Lazio and Emilia-Romagna regions. Once complete, the plants are expected to produce around 685GWh of electricity annually.
Enfinity will retain a 51% majority stake and continue managing the assets. “SOFAZ will act as Enfinity’s long-term partner and investor in Italy,” said Carlos Domenech, CEO of Enfinity Global.
The partnership is expected to support Enfinity’s broader pipeline, which includes 2.6GW of solar and 5.3GW of energy storage projects.
SOFAZ, which manages over $65bn in assets, was founded in 1999 to oversee Azerbaijan’s oil and gas revenues. The acquisition aligns with its goal of securing stable returns while supporting the transition to renewable energy.
Enfinity was supported by Mediobanca (financial), Legance (legal), and Fichtner (technical). SOFAZ was advised by JLL (M&A), Dentons Europe Studio Legale Tributario (legal), EY (financial and tax), and DNV (technical).
Founded in 2019, Enfinity has a global solar portfolio of 35.5GW, including 1.1GW of operational capacity and 1.3GW under construction. Its battery energy storage portfolio totals 12.9GW, with projects in the US, Italy, UK, India, and Japan.
The company also recently secured up to €100m from Eiffel Investment Group to fund its European solar and storage projects through four of Eiffel’s sustainable investment vehicles.
by Catie Owen | Jul 15, 2025 | Europe, Large Scale Utility Solar
METLEN has completed construction of the San Severo solar park in Italy’s Puglia region.
The 12 MWp project is expected to generate 21.97GWh of electricity annually, meeting the energy needs of approximately 7,846 households.
The company delivered the project under its Asset Rotation Model, managing Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC).
The site uses bifacial solar panels, which METLEN describes as “some of the most advanced technologies currently available in the renewable energy sector.”
METLEN credited the successful delivery to both its technical expertise and support from local partners. “Close collaboration with local partners in Puglia” played a key role, the company said, “actively contributing to the regional economy and community development.”
The new park adds to METLEN’s growing presence in Italy, where it oversees a portfolio of 130 projects. These total approximately 3GW of capacity and are scheduled for completion within the next four years.
Earlier in 2025, METLEN completed the Carcarello and Tarquinia solar parks in Lazio. Combined, those projects supply 89GWh annually – enough to power 24,700 households.
“Italy remains a strategic pillar of METLEN’s European growth strategy,” the company said, citing the country’s strong renewables sector and supportive regulatory landscape.
METLEN added that it is continuing to “invest in innovative solutions that accelerate the energy transition toward a sustainable and resilient future.”
Interested in Italy’s solar market? Don’t miss your free ticket to Solar & Storage Live Italia – taking place 8-9 October at the Veronafiere exhibition centre.
