Italy selects 566 self-consumption PV projects in incentive scheme for southern businesses

Italy’s Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE) has approved the list of applications admitted to the evaluation phase of a national incentive scheme supporting photovoltaic self-consumption projects developed by companies in the country’s southern regions.

According to the ministry’s latest decree, 566 applications were submitted successfully, with a total requested incentive value of approximately €59 million ($67.4 million). The figure is significantly below the program’s overall financial allocation of €262 million, leaving more than €200 million still available.

The scheme was initially launched in October 2025 under Ministerial Decree 424/2025. The original application deadline, set for March 3, was later extended until July 3 to encourage wider participation from eligible companies and support the full use of the allocated resources.

A preliminary review of the submitted applications shows that the largest requested contribution was associated with MI.LO. Srl, a company based in Puglia, which submitted a project with a total investment value of more than €30 million. Meanwhile, the highest evaluation score was awarded to SGM Impianti Srl, based in Sicily, which achieved top rankings across almost all assessment criteria.

Italian energy agency Gestore dei servizi energetici (GSE) will now begin the technical assessment phase. Applications will be examined according to the ranking established on the basis of project scores, with checks focusing on completeness and compliance with the requirements of the call.

If additional information, data, or documentation is required, GSE may request further clarification from applicants, who will have 30 days to provide the requested material.

The incentive program supports the construction or expansion of photovoltaic systems with nominal capacities ranging from 10 kW to 1 MW. The level of support varies depending on company size and project type.

For photovoltaic installations, eligible companies can receive incentives covering between 38% and 58% of investment costs. Support levels increase for thermal-PV systems, ranging from 43% to 63%, while battery energy storage systems (BESS) can receive coverage between 28% and 48%.

The relatively low number of applications compared with the available budget suggests that significant funding capacity remains available for businesses seeking to reduce electricity costs through onsite renewable generation.