Energy and Utilities

Agrisolar park

Published on 28th Sep 2022

The procedure for the submission of applications for contributions for the construction of photovoltaic plants to be installed on buildings for productive use in the agricultural, zootechnical and agro-industrial sectors, to be financed under the NRRP, Mission 2, Component 1, Investment 2.2 'Agrisolar Park', has started.

Round solar panels
Agrisolar park

Approved on 23 September the Operational Regulation containing the procedures for the presentation of the applications for the contributions provided for by the 'Agrisolar Park' measure, already regulated by Ministerial Decree of 25 March 2022 (and subsequent amendments) concerning works for the construction of photovoltaic systems to be installed on buildings for productive use in the agricultural, zootechnical and agro-industrial sectors, to be financed under the NRRP, Mission 2, component 1, investment 2.2 'Agrisolar Park'.

The measure intends to select and finance projects that envisage the purchase and installation of photovoltaic panels on the roofs of buildings instrumental to the activity of the Beneficiaries, including those intended for reception and hospitality in the framework of agri-tourism activities.

Redevelopment works with the aim of improving the energy efficiency of the structure, the creation of thermal insulation on the roof, and the creation of a ventilation system are also eligible for aid.

Aims and timing
  • 2022 - Identification of eligible projects whose total value of allocated incentives amounts to at least 30% of the total financial resources allocated to the investment;
  • 2023 - Identification of the eligible projects whose total value of the incentives awarded amounts to at least 50% of the total financial resources allocated to the investment;
  • 2024 - Identification of the eligible projects whose total value amounts to 100% of the total financial resources allocated to the investment;
  • 2026 - At least 375,000 (kW) of installed solar power generation capacity.
Resources

The resources made available by the fund amount to € 1.5 billion disbursed in the form of a non-repayable grant and divided as follows: 

  • € 1,200 million earmarked for measures implemented by farms active in primary agricultural production;
  • € 150 million for measures implemented by agricultural holdings engaged in processing agricultural products;
  • € 150 million for measures implemented by agricultural holdings engaged in processing agricultural products into non-agricultural products.
Beneficiaries
  • Agricultural entrepreneurs, individual or corporate
  • Agro-industrial enterprises
  • Agricultural cooperatives engaged in land cultivation, forestry, animal husbandry and related activities

Only projects for the construction of photovoltaic plants where the electricity produced will be used to meet the energy needs of the business owned by the Beneficiary are eligible.
The sale of electricity is allowed into the grid as long as the annual self-consumption limit is respected.

Eligible plants

Requirements for photovoltaic systems and buildings housing the plant:

  • the photovoltaic plant must be newly built and no less than 6 kWp and no more than 500 kWp;
  • in the case of an existing plant, the contribution will be defined on the basis of the costs incurred exclusively for the construction of the new section;
  • the construction of photovoltaic plants on buildings or properties in land registry category D/10 does not require the annotation of the recognition of rurality for tax purposes, as they are instrumental to the activity carried out by the Beneficiary.

Criterion for determining the production capacity of the plants, based on the average annual electricity and heat consumption of the producing companies: "energy requirements of the company" means the energy requirements of the electricity and heating utilities attributable to the "same business in the national territory".

Admissable costs
  • Maximum cost per individual proposal: € 750.000
  • Maximum cost for multiple proposals: € 1.000.000
  • Expenses related to the installation of the photovoltaic system: € 1.500/kWp
  • Costs of purchasing and installing electricity storage systems: € 1.000/kWh
  • If recharging devices for sustainable mobility are installed, an additional maximum eligible expenditure is permitted as follows:

€ 1.500 for installation of wallbox charging devices with overall power not exceeding 22 kW
€ 4.000 for installation of charging columns with overall power not exceeding 22 kW;
€ 250/kW and up to a maximum of € 15.000 for the installation of charging devices with overall power exceeding 22 kW.

  • Together with the construction of the PV plant, it is possible to apply for an additional contribution, for the construction of one or more complementary measures, up to an eligible expenditure limit of € 700/kWp.
Non-admissible costs

The following investment costs are not admissible: 

  • Ongoing or periodic consultancy services or tax or legal consultancy or publicity costs
  • Purchase of used assets
  • Purchase of assets under leasing
  • Purchase of assets and services not directly identifiable as being connected to the energy efficiency works or to the installation of the plant for the production from renewable sources
  • Purchase of devices for the storage of energy produced by existing PV plants
  • Contract work 'lavori in economia'
  • Payments to parties not holding a VAT number 
  • Management services
  • Purchase of any variations to means of transport
  • Payments made cumulatively, in cash and by way of set-off
  • Expenses incurred or invoiced to the Beneficiary by companies having a controlling or affiliated relationship, as defined in article 2359 of the Civil Code (such expenses may only be eligible if the beneficiary provides documentary evidence that such business is the sole supplier of that plant or equipment).
Applications

Project Proposals to obtain the contribution must be submitted exclusively through the GSE's IT Platform, accessible through the Customer Area, from 12 noon on 27 September 2022 until 12 noon on 27 October 2022.

 

For any further information please do not hesitate to contact us.

Follow

* This article is current as of the date of its publication and does not necessarily reflect the present state of the law or relevant regulation.

Interested in hearing more from Osborne Clarke?