The European solar energy market is experiencing significant growth, drawing the attention of global investors. According to SolarPower Europe, PV installations in Europe increased by 47% over the past year, from 28.1 GW in 2021 to 41.4 GW at the end of 2022. The group also predicts a 53.6GW increase in solar power across the EU in 2023, with the market more than doubling by 2026.
Italy is a nation eager to further boost its PV capacity, having boasted the second largest solar fleet since 2011, before being overtaken by Spain last year. Since 2010 the country has beaten European targets. EU Directive 2009/28/CE required it to achieve 17% of its energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020. This was met in 2016 and has since been greatly exceeded. In the case of solar, production increased by 2.1% in 2021, contributing 21.7% of the annual electricity demand from renewables.
As well as the favourable state of the Italian solar market, its Mediterranean climate and cultural similarities between Spain and Italy make both countries attractive options for international investment. However, while the technical aspects may be similar, legal, financial, and tax systems differ significantly.
Italy has one of the most complex tax systems in Europe, presenting a considerable challenge for Spanish investors. On top of this, there are important differences when it comes to land use and planning – even within Italy itself. There are often small, but significant, differences between regions and municipalities that can upset applications from unprepared foreign companies.
When it comes to establishing a PV plant in Italy, the approval of various national authorities must be gained. First, there are the national ministries responsible for renewable energy. In Italy’s case, these are the Ministry of Companies and Made In Italy (MIMIT) and the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE). On top of this, investors must satisfy several regulatory bodies: consumer and competition watchdog ARERA, state-owned Renewable Energy Sources (RES) development company GSE, and Terna, which manages the national power grid.
When these are satisfied, regional rules must be considered. Italy has four levels of government, distributed among 20 regions (plus two autonomous provinces with regional powers), 107 provinces (10 of which have metropolitan city status), and 7,901 municipalities.
The procedures required to establish PV plants also depend on its potential size and capacity. For smaller facilities there is a simplified administrative procedure, involving a formal request submitted to the local municipality at least 30 days before the start of any work on the site. This must be accompanied with documentation verifying the project’s sustainability and proving it accords with relevant building and safety regulations. For larger projects, “single authorisation” is required, a procedure established by legislative decree 387/2003. This is a much longer process, requiring input from all interested parties, including regional and local authorities, public and private organisations, and all commercial stakeholders.
With all this, it is easy to see how, without comprehensive knowledge of Italian tax and regulatory processes, investors can face unnecessary delays, complications, and even losses when entering the Italian market.
Just over 13 years ago, Quintas launched Quintas Energy Italy, with a team of finance tax specialists and chartered accountant commercialisti based in Rome. With extensive experience navigating the complexities of the Italian market, they offer tailored solutions and expert guidance, ensuring that clients face minimal risk and maximum returns. The team is the cornerstone of Quintas Italy's success and the key to unlocking the full potential of the Italian solar market.
With a deep understanding of the Italian tax system and a passion for helping clients succeed, the team provides the support and guidance needed to enter Italy’s solar PV market with ease and confidence.
Avoid pitfalls and boost returns: why contract Quintas Energy Italy?
Commercialista services provide critical financial and tax-related support to help Spanish investors navigate Italy’s complex legal and taxation systems. Quintas Energy Italy experts help their clients minimize confusion through tax planning and optimization, ensuring their investments are legally compliant with all relevant laws and regulations. They also assist with project financing, financial reporting, and bookkeeping to meet all regulatory requirements, providing accurate financial information to share with stakeholders.
To date, Quintas Italy manages over 500MW of solar energy production, across more than 200 PV installations. Its commercialisti submit over 130 statutory accounts annually.
“The country's regulatory landscape is constantly evolving, with regular changes in rules and requirements. This complex landscape can make it difficult for investors to keep up and cause unexpected costs and project development delays,” warned Quintas Energy Country Manager for Italy, Alessandra Ugoli.
“To navigate these challenges successfully, companies need experts with a close knowledge of Italian tax issues, who can help them stay on top of the latest developments and ensure compliance with all relevant regulations."
Whether a Spanish company is looking to enter the Italian market or is an established participant, support from a commercialista is the key to success in Italy’s soaring solar energy sector.
Alessandra added: "At Quintas Energy Italy, we are committed to helping Spanish companies thrive in the Italian solar market. Relying on the expertise of our commercialisti, we can mitigate losses and boost revenues, giving our clients the security and peace of mind they need to make a powerful impact."
