Martifer Solar says that the completion of one of the first unsubsidized solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in Italy is a breakthrough for the solar industry.
The 696 kW rooftop power plant was installed for Ikea in Pisa, Tuscany and will not be supported through Italy's renewable energy feed-in tariff scheme.
It shows that Italy could build a stable solar energy industry without reliance on government incentives and that solar energy is reaching grid parity in more places around the world, said Martifer.
"This achievement means that solar energy is as cost-competitive as any other energy source in Italy and principally, without subsidies," said Henrique Rodrigues, CEO of Martifer Solar.
As EPC contractor for the project, Martifer installed 2700 polycrystalline solar modules on fixed structures on the roof of the Ikea store.
Analysts at Deutsche Bank predicted in a 2013 report that markets such as Italy and India would see a transition from feed-in-tariffs to "sustainable" markets with a surge in grid parity projects within a year.
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