Italy’s solar energy sector is experiencing a significant surge, solidifying its role as a key player in Europe’s renewable transition. Between January and August 2025, the country installed an impressive 3.68 GW of new solar capacity, marking a 5.6% increase compared to the same period last year. This robust growth has propelled Italyโs cumulative solar capacity to approximately 40 GW, a critical milestone in its journey toward energy independence.
Italy Solar PV capacity: Growth Analysis
According to official data from Italyโs transmission system operator, Terna, the nation added 3,680 MW of new solar PV capacity in the first eight months of 2025. This consistent expansion underscores a strong market momentum, driven by both new installations and the optimization of existing assets. For instance, strategic initiatives to repower existing sites, like the project to revamp 35 solar PV plants in Italy, are increasing capacity without expanding land use.
The growth is distributed across various scales, highlighting a healthy and diverse market:
* The majority of the newly installed capacityโaround 1.22 GWโoriginates from utility-scale plants with a capacity of 1 MW or more. This segment’s strength reflects the country’s focus on large-scale solar projects.
* Systems ranging between 12 kW and 200 kW contributed 1.19 GW.
* Installations between 200 kW and 1 MW added another 1.06 GW.
* Smaller systems also played a part, with 74.4 MW from installations between 12 kW and 200 kW and 58 MW from those below 12 kW.
This breakdown shows a comprehensive approach, from large solar farms that require complex solar panel manufacturing machines to smaller residential and commercial systems.
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Monthly Installations of Italy solar PV capacity
The installation pace remained consistently high throughout the period, demonstrating sustained investment and development activity. The monthly additions were as follows:
* January: 403 MW
* February: 392 MW
* March: 452 MW
* April: 445 MW
* May: 499 MW
* June: 495 MW
* July: 460 MW
* August: 533 MW
On a regional level, development is widespread across the country. The Lombardy region led with 496 MW of new capacity, followed closely by Puglia with 490 MW and Lazio with 435 MW. Other regions making significant contributions include Veneto (366 MW) and Emilia Romagna (318 MW), showcasing a nationwide commitment to solar energy.
Italyโs Solar PV Goals for Italy solar PV capacity
With its cumulative grid-connected solar capacity reaching 40 GW in August, Italy is making tangible progress. In 2024, the country added 5.65 GW, bringing the total to 36.3 GW at the start of 2025. This growth is supported by proactive government policies, including successful renewable energy auctions that continue to allocate significant capacity to solar projects. For example, a recent renewables auction allocated 322 MW of solar, fueling the pipeline for future growth.
According to its National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC), Italy aims to reach 52 GW of installed solar capacity by 2030. While ambitious, forecasts suggest this target is well within reach, with projections indicating an increase of over 30 GW between 2025 and 2029 alone. Some industry reports, such as one from the Enel Foundation and the European House-Ambrosetti, even suggest Italy has the potential to reach 100 GW by 2030. For a deeper dive into the market dynamics, the Italy solar panel manufacturing report offers detailed analysis and insights.
However, achieving these higher targets requires overcoming significant hurdles, including high administrative costs and bureaucratic delays that can stall large projects. To counter these challenges, Italy is embracing innovative solutions like agrivoltaics, with a recent Italy agrivoltaics tender designed to merge clean energy production with agriculture. Furthermore, the country is investing heavily in energy storage to support grid stability, recently procuring 10 GWh in a landmark auction.
While Italy is making strides, other European nations like Hungary are also hitting impressive milestones, showcasing a continent-wide shift towards renewables.
Despite the challenges, the recent growth in Italyโs solar PV capacity is a clear indicator of its commitment to renewable energy goals. The consistent increase in installations, particularly in larger utility-scale systems, signals a powerful momentum in the countryโs transition away from fossil fuels and toward a sustainable energy future.
To gain a deeper understanding of the technical side of this growing industry, you can explore the basics of solar panel manufacturing.
If you are interested in entering this booming market or simply want to learn more, our free e-course on solar manufacturing provides a comprehensive introduction.
