In 2011 photovoltaic has become the main source of renewable energy in Italy (apart from hydroelectric power), beating also wind power.
In 2011 photovoltaic has become the main source of renewable energy in Italy (apart from hydroelectric power), beating also wind power.
In 2011 the field of photovoltaic, in Italy, was characterized by a real boom, which made this type of energy be the most used one, apart from hydroelectric power. The overtaking of photovoltaic power to the detriment of wind power took place in February 2012: in this month the photovoltaic power produced 10.678 GWh, while wind power produced 10.568 GWh. And the gap became more evident in the following months, with the 14.490 GWh of the photovoltaic against 11.541 GWh of the wind power in May. This is the result of the data collected by the research office of Confartigianato.
Other interesting data about the use and development of the photovoltaic in Italy come from the Statistical Report on Solar PV in 2011 released by Gestore dei Servizi Energetici (GSE). The first relevant datum emerging from the report is the placement of Italy at the second place in the world as far as PV capacity in operation is concerned. With its 330,000 active PV plants (this datum regards the end of 2011), 12.780 MW installed and 11 TWh produced, in the chart of the countries with the greatest PV capacity Italy is second only to Germany. The report confirms that 2011 was the year of the boom: also thanks to the coming into the operation of the 3,700 MW of the decree “Salva Alcoa”, the new PV capacity installed in Italy in 2011 was bigger than that of any other country, Germany included.
The excellent solar radiation that characterized 2011 and helped the boom of PV was a consequence of one of the hottest summers of the century, when there was also a lower rainfall and the thinning of fog. The most productive month, in this sense, was May, with an average maximum of 809 W/m², but there has been a general improvement in all the months.
Among all the Italian regions, some stand out as far as the number of installed plants is concerned. The distribution of plants, in the Italian regions, is not homogenous, and the regions with the biggest number of plants are Lombardy (28.692 plants) and Veneto (44.997). Apulia is the region at the top of the chart as far as capacity is concerned, with 2.186 MW. Apulia is the record holder, in Italy, also as far as average size of plants is concerned (95,4 kW), while lagging behind in this ranking is Valle d’Aosta (12,5 kW).
As far as the types of PV plants are concerned, 49% of power in Italy is installed on the ground, while 41% is on buildings. 6% is on greenhouses and canopies, and 4% in other places, like highway noise barriers. The plants on the ground boss the show in the regions of the South and centre of Italy, while in the north plants on buildings are predominant. The concentration of plants on greenhouses and canopies is high in Sardinia, Calabria and Liguria.
Online wine sales, the new trends for wine lovers
Drinking wine is part of the Mediterranean culture, and what is certain is that in the last few years wine has reached a new target: a more heterogeneous group of aware consumers, composed not only by mature consumers (especially men), but also by women, young people or older consumers that have discovered the passion for food and for the right combination of wine and dishes.
Bathroom renewal: detractions till the end of the year in Italy
For the Italians that are thinking about renovating their bathroom, this is the best moment to do so: Irpef detractions on renovation costs, indeed, will be valid till the end of the year.
Office accessories and ideas for your desk
New trends and tendencies for the office furniture and desk accessories.
