Utility-scale solar project development in Italy

What developing a solar project involves

Developing a ground-mounted solar plant means solving four problems, one after the other: where to build it, how to connect it, how to permit it, and with what rights over the land. A solar project developer in Italy tackles them in this order.

Site selection and screening

The search starts from areas where ground-mounted PV is allowed and simpler to permit: suitable areas (aree idonee) identified by national law and by the Regions, industrial and commercial zones, quarries and disused sites. Each site is checked for landscape and environmental constraints, hydrogeological risk, zoning, access, terrain and shading.

On agricultural land, ground-mounted modules are allowed only in the areas listed by law: where the land is farmland and must stay farmed, the route is agrivoltaics.

Land secured

A site is worth something only once the project controls it. The developer negotiates with the owner and signs the agreement: usually a preliminary surface-right (diritto di superficie) or purchase agreement, with the easements needed for cable routes and connection works.

Grid connection

The connection request goes to the distribution operator for medium voltage or to Terna, the transmission operator, for high voltage. The connection offer says where and how the plant connects and which grid works are needed. It is often the step that decides whether a project stands up.

Permitting

Italy's consolidated renewables act (Legislative Decree 190/2024) sets out three routes: free activity, the simplified procedure (PAS) and the single authorisation (autorizzazione unica). Which one applies depends on capacity, location and constraints, and may require environmental assessments. The developer prepares the design and studies, files the application and follows the authorities' review, requests for additions and opinions.

Ready to build

With the permit granted, the connection accepted and the land rights in order, the project is RTB. The investor can build it with its own EPC or realise its value.

Why entrust development to a local developer

• They know the grid. Where capacity is already committed and where a connection request makes sense.
• They know the authorities. Municipalities, Regions, heritage offices, consortia: practice differs from one area to the next.
• They know the landowners. Land is secured through trust before price.
• Their interests match yours. Under milestone-based co-development they are paid when the project moves forward.

How we work with you

greenfield.solar is an advisory service. We take your criteria, introduce a developer from among the professionals we work with and help you set up the co-development. You sign the agreement directly with the developer. The full path, with what is worth checking at each stage, is in the guide from greenfield to RTB.

Questions on solar development

How large is a utility-scale solar project?

There is no single threshold: utility scale refers to ground-mounted plants connected at medium or high voltage and designed to feed power into the grid. Tell us the size you are interested in, per project or for the whole pipeline.

Does the developer also find the land?

Yes: site scouting and securing the land are part of greenfield development.

Can ground-mounted solar be developed on agricultural land in Italy?

Only in the areas where the law allows it. Otherwise the project has to be designed as agrivoltaic, keeping farming on the site.

Can storage be added to the project?

Yes, many projects are designed as hybrids from the start. Storage changes the connection, the layout and the permit: see BESS project development.