popular articles

Enel launches northern Italy’s largest solar power plant

Enel has commissioned an 87 MW solar power plant in Trino, the largest in northern Italy, with the help of local residents via participatory financing.
Enel lance la plus grande centrale solaire du nord de l'Italie.

Please share:

The Trino solar power plant, located in Piedmont, was financed in part by an equity crowdfunding campaign launched in 2022. Local residents have invested in the project and will begin to recoup their investment when operations start. This project demonstrates a new form of citizen participation in the field of renewable energy, enabling local communities to benefit directly from energy infrastructures. This is not the first time such an initiative has been launched in Italy. Indeed, last year, Edison, a smaller competitor of Enel, inaugurated a new hydroelectric plant also partly financed by the local community and its extended customer base.

Impressive figures

The Trino site, formerly the site of a nuclear power plant shut down following the 1987 vote banning atomic energy, is now home to 160,000 photovoltaic panels. The plant will generate around 130 GWh per year, supplying green energy to around 47,000 homes. In addition, the plant is equipped with a 25 MW battery storage system with a storage capacity of 100 MWh. An additional, larger storage system is planned for installation at the site in the near future. These figures surpass those of RWE’s solar projects in Sicily.

Impact on the energy transition

Until recently, Italy’s energy transition has relied mainly on the installation of rooftop solar panels, a small-scale strategy that has kept energy production costs high and slowed progress towards decarbonization. The Trino plant marks a significant shift towards larger-scale facilities, crucial to meeting the country’s carbon reduction targets. However, the project comes at a time when Italy’s right-wing coalition has recently approved rules to limit the installation of solar panels on agricultural land, prompting criticism of their potential impact on Rome’s decarbonization goals. All in all, the Trino solar power plant represents an important step in Italy’s energy transition, combining technological innovation and community involvement to accelerate large-scale renewable energy production.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

South America is set to add 160 GW of solar photovoltaic capacity between 2025 and 2034, driven by energy diversification, growing electricity demand, and favourable system economics. Emerging markets complement this growth despite challenges related to infrastructure and transmission costs.
Svea Solar has signed multiple land agreements to develop eight solar parks in Sweden, totaling a capacity of 500 MW. The projects will be spread across the central region and southern Norrland, with construction set to begin in 2026.
Svea Solar has signed multiple land agreements to develop eight solar parks in Sweden, totaling a capacity of 500 MW. The projects will be spread across the central region and southern Norrland, with construction set to begin in 2026.
TotalEnergies has ended the Maya solar power plant project in French Guiana, initiated in 2019 to stabilise the local energy supply. The company cites a lack of public support, as the revision of France’s energy planning is underway.
TotalEnergies has ended the Maya solar power plant project in French Guiana, initiated in 2019 to stabilise the local energy supply. The company cites a lack of public support, as the revision of France’s energy planning is underway.
New Energy Equity partners with Harlem School District, Illinois, to develop a 5.54 MWdc community solar project, providing economic and energy benefits to local schools and residents in the Commonwealth Edison service area.
New Energy Equity partners with Harlem School District, Illinois, to develop a 5.54 MWdc community solar project, providing economic and energy benefits to local schools and residents in the Commonwealth Edison service area.
France puts its energy roadmap out for final consultation by early April 2025. Adjustments to photovoltaic targets are expected, following feedback from consultations launched at the end of 2024.
TotalEnergies ENEOS has commissioned a 1.9 MWp solar rooftop photovoltaic system at SteelAsia’s Meycauayan facility in the Philippines. This project is part of the steelmaker’s decarbonisation strategy.
TotalEnergies ENEOS has commissioned a 1.9 MWp solar rooftop photovoltaic system at SteelAsia’s Meycauayan facility in the Philippines. This project is part of the steelmaker’s decarbonisation strategy.
Jakson Engineers Limited has delivered 100 MW of photovoltaic modules to Gujarat Industries Power Company Limited for its 2,375 MW energy park in Gujarat. The company also plans to invest INR 2,000 crore in a new 2.5 GW solar cell manufacturing facility.
Jakson Engineers Limited has delivered 100 MW of photovoltaic modules to Gujarat Industries Power Company Limited for its 2,375 MW energy park in Gujarat. The company also plans to invest INR 2,000 crore in a new 2.5 GW solar cell manufacturing facility.
RWE has inaugurated an 8.3 MW solar plant in Partinico, Sicily, capable of supplying electricity to 7,000 Italian households. This project marks the company’s entry into the Italian solar market.
RWE has inaugurated an 8.3 MW solar plant in Partinico, Sicily, capable of supplying electricity to 7,000 Italian households. This project marks the company’s entry into the Italian solar market.
First Solar, Inc. announced net sales of $4.2bn for 2024 and forecasts a significant increase in 2025, with projections ranging from $5.3bn to $5.8bn.
Cypress Creek Renewables and Meta have signed an agreement to build a 505 MWdc solar plant in Texas, aimed at powering Meta’s operations with clean energy.
Cypress Creek Renewables and Meta have signed an agreement to build a 505 MWdc solar plant in Texas, aimed at powering Meta’s operations with clean energy.
Risen has reached a milestone with 30.99% efficiency using its HJT-perovskite tandem solar cells, marking a major advancement in solar panel performance and durability.
Risen has reached a milestone with 30.99% efficiency using its HJT-perovskite tandem solar cells, marking a major advancement in solar panel performance and durability.
Uniper has begun construction of two solar farms in Staffordshire. These projects, with a combined capacity of 65 MWp, will provide renewable electricity to approximately 23,300 British households each year.
Uniper has begun construction of two solar farms in Staffordshire. These projects, with a combined capacity of 65 MWp, will provide renewable electricity to approximately 23,300 British households each year.
Uniper has launched the construction of two photovoltaic parks in Hungary, in Tét and Dunaföldvár, which will add 151 MWp of capacity to the country’s renewable energy production.
The Minister for Overseas Territories, Manuel Valls, inaugurated the Kwita Wije power plant in Boulouparis, a facility combining solar power generation and energy storage, aimed at enhancing New Caledonia's energy autonomy.
The Minister for Overseas Territories, Manuel Valls, inaugurated the Kwita Wije power plant in Boulouparis, a facility combining solar power generation and energy storage, aimed at enhancing New Caledonia's energy autonomy.
Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) has commissioned a 250 MW solar power plant in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, bringing its total operational renewable energy capacity to 11,916.1 MW.
Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) has commissioned a 250 MW solar power plant in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, bringing its total operational renewable energy capacity to 11,916.1 MW.
Duke Energy Florida plans to invest $521 million in the development of four new solar sites across Madison, Sumter, Hernando, and Jefferson counties, aiming to add nearly 300 megawatts to the power grid by summer 2026.
Duke Energy Florida plans to invest $521 million in the development of four new solar sites across Madison, Sumter, Hernando, and Jefferson counties, aiming to add nearly 300 megawatts to the power grid by summer 2026.
Lightsource bp has signed 10 power purchase agreements in 2024, representing 1.3 gigawatts of capacity, spanning Europe, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific region.
Bluefield Solar Income Fund completed a £300 million refinancing in January 2025 for its 359MW solar photovoltaic portfolio, in partnership with GLIL Infrastructure.
Bluefield Solar Income Fund completed a £300 million refinancing in January 2025 for its 359MW solar photovoltaic portfolio, in partnership with GLIL Infrastructure.
OCI Energy, based in San Antonio, and Arava Power, an Israeli company, announce a partnership to build a 260 MW solar plant in Wharton County, Texas, with construction set to begin in 2025.
OCI Energy, based in San Antonio, and Arava Power, an Israeli company, announce a partnership to build a 260 MW solar plant in Wharton County, Texas, with construction set to begin in 2025.
Cuba has commissioned the first of a series of solar parks aimed at reducing persistent power outages caused by aging infrastructure and reliance on imported oil.
Cuba has commissioned the first of a series of solar parks aimed at reducing persistent power outages caused by aging infrastructure and reliance on imported oil.
EDP Renewables North America has launched its Ragsdale Solar Park project in Mississippi. With a capacity of 100 MW, this park will provide power to Entergy Mississippi while creating significant local economic benefits.
EDP Renewables North America has announced the opening of the Sandrini I & II solar park in Southern California, an installation dedicated to providing energy to Redwood Coast Energy Authority and Shell Energy North America.
EDP Renewables North America has announced the opening of the Sandrini I & II solar park in Southern California, an installation dedicated to providing energy to Redwood Coast Energy Authority and Shell Energy North America.
The Delilah I Solar park, developed by Invenergy in Texas, has reached full operational capacity. With a production of 300 MW, it will supply electricity to Honda and Tesla through power purchase agreements, strengthening the local grid’s energy supply.
The Delilah I Solar park, developed by Invenergy in Texas, has reached full operational capacity. With a production of 300 MW, it will supply electricity to Honda and Tesla through power purchase agreements, strengthening the local grid’s energy supply.
Tesla has signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Zelestra, ensuring the supply of 130 GWh of solar energy per year. Three photovoltaic plants in Spain will provide this capacity, reinforcing the company's energy strategy.
Tesla has signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Zelestra, ensuring the supply of 130 GWh of solar energy per year. Three photovoltaic plants in Spain will provide this capacity, reinforcing the company's energy strategy.

Advertising