Image credit: Chandra Marsono on Flickr

Italy is planning to increase installed photovoltaic capacity to 1200-1300 MW by the end of 2010. This should happen thanks to government incentives, according to a top sector official.

It is expected the current growth pace will bring a total of 800-900 MW installed capacity in 2009, and about 1200-1300 MW by the end of 2010., according to GSE (Gestore Servizi Elettrici), the Italian state run power management agency. Currently, total installed capacity stands at 450 MW (about 37000 operational installations). The Italian PV market got a boost that dates back to 2007 when the government introduced incentives to the country's economy for all who invest in solar, ranging from households to big companies. The 2007 incentive plan put a cap on installed capacity at about 1200 MW, but the incentive program will be prolonged for another 14 months once installations reach that figure.

Italy has invested about EUR150 million on new PV incentives since 2007.