ContourGlobal is revamping 35 of its solar PV plants in Italy, increasing their capacity by 43% without expanding land use. This project will boost the company’s total solar PV capacity in the country to 113 MW and enhance its renewable energy generation.
Increasing Solar PV Capacity in Italy
ContourGlobal is undertaking a major growth project in Italy, setting out to revamp and repower 35 of its 71 solar PV plants. This ambitious initiative will increase the installed capacity of these sites by 43% within their existing land area. By installing more efficient solar modules and upgrading the technology, the company will significantly enhance its contribution to Italy’s renewable energy landscape.
Solar PV plant (Image: Collected)
The upgrade will raise ContourGlobal’s total solar capacity in Italy to 113 MW, a notable increase in its renewable power generation. According to Paola Agrati, the company’s country manager for Italy, this modernization effort is a key part of ContourGlobal’s strategy to improve the efficiency and output of its existing solar PV plants.
The revamping process involves installing higher-efficiency modules and advanced inverters, as well as shifting from fixed panels to solar tracking systems. These trackers allow the panels to follow the sun’s path, maximizing electricity production throughout the day.
Repowering the Solar PV Plants
A key aspect of this project is its repowering strategy. By installing more efficient solar panels, ContourGlobal will free up space at the existing sites, allowing the company to add new capacity without expanding the plants’ footprint. This additional capacity is expected to reach 17.9 MW, further increasing the company’s total solar output.
This added capacity will operate on a merchant basis, meaning it will not be tied to existing Feed-in Tariff (FiT) agreements. Instead, the additional power will be sold directly to the market, allowing the company to capitalize on the upgraded plants’ improved efficiency.
Construction on the revamping project is progressing, despite some minor delays at the start. The first batch of PV modules, inverters, and structures was delivered on schedule, with the second batch expected between September and November.
By early September, 19 solar PV plants had already been fully re-energized and two more partially completed, resulting in a total of approximately 25 MWp of installed capacity.
The project’s second phase is scheduled for Q3 and Q4 of 2024. Some repowering activities will extend into 2025, depending on grid upgrades and work by the Transmission System Operator (TSO) and Distribution Network Operator (DNO).
Sustainability and Circular Economy
A standout feature of this project is its deep commitment to sustainability. The revamping effort extends beyond boosting energy capacity to actively minimizing environmental impact. Discarded solar modules are processed through end-of-life recycling, which allows for the recovery of 97% of their materials, including copper, silver, aluminum, glass, and crystalline silicon. In addition to the solar modules, the old ground-mounted steel structures and inverters are also being recycled. These old steel structures are being replaced with more efficient single-axis trackers to improve plant performance.
Contribution to Italy’s Energy Transition
ContourGlobal’s solar revamping project marks a significant contribution to Italy’s ongoing energy transition. By increasing the efficiency and capacity of its solar plants, the company is helping to provide more clean energy for the country. Once completed, the project will enable ContourGlobal’s solar plants to generate enough electricity to power more than 70,000 Italian homes each year. Combining additional merchant capacity with sustainability improvements, such as recycling 97% of discarded materials, this project represents a major step forward for Italy’s renewable energy sector.
