Industrial PV Repowering 2010–2013: Doubling Capacity While Keeping Feed-in Tariffs
Companies that invested in photovoltaic systems between 2010 and 2013 now own a highly profitable strategic asset: the incentive tariffs of the Conto Energia scheme. However, these plants, the so-called Early Adopters, are now starting to show signs of aging.
Replacing degraded photovoltaic modules is not just a maintenance activity. Thanks to modern technologies, it is now possible to increase both energy production and installed capacity without losing the incentive regime.
This operation is known as repowering and requires compliance with specific technical and procedural rules, explained in detail in our dedicated guide to industrial photovoltaic repowering.
Table of contents
Revamping vs Repowering: what’s the difference?
Often confused, these terms refer to two very different interventions:
Revamping: a conservative extraordinary maintenance activity. Faulty components (e.g. failed inverters or damaged modules) are replaced to restore the plant’s original efficiency.
Repowering: an active upgrade. Obsolete components are replaced with next-generation technologies to increase the nominal installed capacity, often using the same mounting structures and existing grid connections.
For an industrial plant that is 10–12 years old and affected by degradation phenomena such as PID (Potential Induced Degradation) or delamination, simple revamping is often only a temporary fix that does not address the plant’s structural competitiveness issues. Repowering an existing photovoltaic system, instead, represents a new investment that regenerates the asset’s lifecycle.
For a more comprehensive overview on how to choose between regeneration and capacity upgrade strategies, you can also read our dedicated article on photovoltaic revamping and repowering.
The rules of the game: increasing capacity on incentivized plants
The main concern is usually: “If I modify the plant, the GSE will revoke my feed-in tariff.”
This is false, provided the intervention is managed correctly in compliance with the guidelines of the Ministerial Decree of 23 June 2016 and the .
The core principle is the accounting or physical separation between the original capacity and the additional capacity:
Incentivized capacity (Quota A): GSE continues to pay the original feed-in tariff on the share of energy corresponding to the original installed capacity (or up to a defined cap).
Additional capacity (Quota B): energy produced by the “extra” capacity is not incentivized under the Conto Energia, but is instead monetized through self-consumption (bill savings) or sold on the market (Dedicated Withdrawal / PUN).
In summary: the historical incentive revenue is preserved, while new operational savings are generated thanks to the efficiency of modern technologies.
Inverter and module revamping: the technological leap
Moving from 250 Wp modules to 500 Wp+ modules requires a redesign of the electrical architecture. In many cases, a simultaneous inverter revamping is necessary.
Old centralized inverters may not properly handle the new voltage and current curves of modern modules. Replacing them with next-generation string inverters delivers three key advantages:
- Higher conversion efficiency (>98% compared to 94–95% of 2010 models)
- Improved shading management (more MPPTs)
- Advanced digital monitoring for predictive maintenance
Is your photovoltaic plant more than 10 years old?
Don’t let efficiency decline. Southenergy manages the entire repowering process: feasibility study, GSE procedures, WEEE disposal and new installation.
Request a Plant Check-up
If you are also considering integrating energy storage systems to increase self-consumption and operational stability, it may be useful to explore how photovoltaics with storage for businesses works.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
No, provided that the SIAD procedure (GSE Data Acquisition Information System) is correctly followed. Incentives are maintained on the original nominal capacity. Energy produced in excess thanks to the upgrade is not incentivized but is monetized at market price or self-consumed.
For incentivized panels under the Conto Energia, GSE already withholds a security deposit for disposal. However, in large-scale replacements, logistics costs (dismantling, packaging and transport to the collection center) are borne by the plant owner. It is essential to rely on certified consortia to obtain the disposal certificates required by GSE.
It depends on the scope of the intervention. If the upgrade does not alter the footprint or occupied area (1:1 or 2:1 replacement on the same layout), a simple Free Building Notice or a Simplified Authorization Procedure (PAS) is often sufficient. However, increasing injection capacity requires a new grid connection adjustment (TICA) with the distribution network operator (e.g., E-Distribuzione).
Are you interested and would like to receive more information? Contact us using the form below.