Italy

In Italy there are several means of support in general based on quota system but also in some of cases on feed-in tariff and premium. Moreover under additional conditions the supports can be combined. [54]

The major supporting instrument is quota system. The support is available for all wind parks which annual production exceed 200 kWh and for the PV systems commissioned after 31st December 2007. The rest of the RES technologies (biomass, biogas and hydro) are promoted without additional restrictions. The certificates emission depends from technology. Wind power plants receive 1 certificate for 1 MWh of electricity produced. Biomass and biogas power plants which combust agricultural, livestock and forestry products (produced within 70 km) receive 1,8 of certificate per 1 MWh. For the rest biogas systems that factor equal 0,8 and for biomass power plants (not described above) 1,3. Hydro, wave and tidal systems receive also 1,8 of certificate per 1 MW. [54]

For small scale systems (capacity from 1 to 200 kW for wind farms and up to 1 MW for the rest technologies excluding the PV systems) feed-in tariff is an alternative to green certificates. The amount equals 30 €ct/kWh for wind parks, 28 €ct/kWh for biogas and biomass power plants, 34 €ct/kWh for wave and tidal systems and 22 €ct/kWh for hydro power plants. Support is eligible for 15 years and the amount is adjusted by the Ministry of Economic Development. [54]

The second price regulation system if for producers which are not interested in selling energy directly. It is eligible for all technologies and the price depends from annual production. If the production is up to 2 000 MWh the producer can choose tariff with minimal price determined by authority or tariff with market prices. the rest producers does not have choice and can by supported only by the second one tariff. For producers with production up to 500 MWh per year tariff equals 103,4 €/MWh, for producers with production between 500 and 1 000 MWh per year tariff equals 87,2 €/MWh and for production between 1 000 and 2 000 MWh per year tariff equals 76,2 €/MWh. Support is eligible only for 1 year. [54]

The PV technology which can not use above mentioned means of support are promoted by the feed-in premium system. The premium is paid for 1 kWh of produced electricity. Although this instrument is only for the PV devices, additional requirements have to be met: system have to started after 31st December 2010, capacity have to exceed 1 kW, have to met technical requirements laid in Annex 1 of DM 06/08/10 (Art. 7, par. 2, l. b DM 06/08/10), devices have to be new, have to be connected with the grid or operate in small local electrical network. The premium also are not paid if contribution for construction exceeds 30% of total investment costs (60% in case of systems located on public buildings) in case of following systems: systems is under 3 kW, devices which are deployed on public or non-profit buildings, systems mounted on reclaimed areas, innovating systems and concentration PV systems. The premium amount is from 0,297 to 0,402 €/kWh for 20 years. Degression equals 6% per year. [54]

There are also one more premium systems which is eligible for producers of non-programmable renewable energy sources. [54]

The reduction in value-added tax is one of two tax regulation means of support which provide 10% reduction of the value-added tax. For that support are eligible all solar and wind technologies. [54]

The reduction in property tax introduced about 4 per mille property tax reduction during five years. That support is eligible for all technologies. [54]

The last one means of support is net-metering and is eligible for producers whose annual production is up to 20 kWh and between 20 and 200 kWh in case of systems commissioned after 31st December 2007. All technologies are promoted without additional restrictions. The amount depends from how much energy they product and how much consume. [54]

In Italy grid connection system is favourable for the RES power plants which have priority for connection and also for grid expansion if it is necessary. All costs are covered by the grid operator whose is obligated to conclude a grid connection contract with system operators. [54]

Regulation requirements in Italy are L 99/09, L 244/07, L 239/04, DL 79/99, DL 387/03, DPR 633/72, DM 18/12/2008, DM 14/03/03, DM 19/02/07, AEEG 34/05, AEEG 90/07, AEEG 280/07, AEEG 348/07 and ARG/elt 74/08. [54]

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