Italy issues new regulation to promote solar and renewables in non-interconnected islands

The Italian Ministry of Economic Development (MISE) has issued a new decree to promote solar and renewable energies across the country’s 20 minor islands, which include, among others, the renowned Capri, Stromboli and Lampedusa islands.

The decree sets the timeframe for the development of renewable energies, and the expected energy need of the islands that must be covered with renewables by 2020.

The new rules allow the installation of residential and commercial PV systems, as well as solar installations providing power to recharges stations for electric vehicles. All PV and renewable energy power systems installed on the minor islands will be entitled to inject all or part of their power output to the islands’ grids.

Every kWh of self-consumed or injected power will be remunerated with an additional tariff, where the amount will be set by Italian energy and gas regulator AEEGSI. The MISE said the rate will be commensurate to the cost of saved fuel for electricity generation. These incentives, however, can’t be cumulated with those granted by other Italian renewable energy incentive schemes such as the Conto Energia.

The new legislation includes the improvement of the islands’ grids. The program will be co-financed by the European Commission and the UC4 levy for the minor islands, which is paid for by energy consumers.