Ritiro dedicato: what is it and how does it work?
Starting from 2025, photovoltaics has changed face. After years in which the Scambio sul Posto (SSP – Exchange on the Spot) has represented the most widely used standard to valorize the energy fed into the grid, the GSE archives the SSP and relaunches the Ritiro Dedicato (RID – Dedicated Withdrawal), one of the most immediate and accessible alternatives for those who have a photovoltaic system.
RID has existed since 2008 and has returned to the center of attention precisely because from 2025 it represents the new reference for the sale of energy produced and not self-consumed. Thanks to RID, you can sell the electricity fed into the grid to the GSE (Energy Services Manager), obtaining in exchange an economic compensation calculated based on the Hourly Zonal Price or the Guaranteed Minimum Prices, depending on the size of the system and the type of access chosen.
What is the Ritiro Dedicato?
Ritiro Dedicato, often abbreviated to RID, is a mechanism managed by the GSE (Energy Services Manager) that allows producers of energy from renewable sources, such as photovoltaic, to directly sell the electricity fed into the grid.
Unlike the Scambio sul Posto (SSP), which worked through a compensation between energy withdrawn and fed into the grid, the GSE RID offers a real economic compensation for each kWh fed into the national electricity grid.
To put it simply, if you have a photovoltaic system and you are unable to consume all the energy you produce, thanks to the photovoltaics RID you can transform that surplus into a profit: the GSE purchases the energy produced and fed into the grid by the owners of renewable energy systems, paying a price that is established based on specific regulations and market conditions. A real economic transaction:
- Provides a direct cash flow to renewable energy producers, making investments more attractive and sustainable over time.
- Simplifies economic management compared to the Net Metering compensation mechanism.
- Actively contributes to national renewable energy objectives, incentivizing greater production from clean sources.
Who can access to Ritiro Dedicato?
The Ritiro Dedicato (RID) service is reserved for owners of electricity production plants that meet certain requirements, defined by the GSE based on the source used and the power of the plant. Plants powered by renewable and non-renewable sources that meet the following conditions can request access to the RID:
- nominal apparent power less than 10 MVA (Megavolt-Ampere) powered by renewable sources, including the attributable production of hybrid power plants;
- any power for systems that produce electricity from the following renewable sources: wind, solar, geothermal, wave, tidal, hydraulic (limited to flowing water systems);
- nominal apparent power less than 10 MVA (Megavolt-Ampere) powered by non-renewable sources, including non-attributable production from hybrid power plants;
- nominal apparent power equal to or greater than 10 MVA, powered by renewable sources (other than wind, solar, geothermal, wave, tidal and hydraulic sources) limited, for the latter, to flowing water systems provided they are owned by a self-producer.
We specify, however, that the RID is not compatible with other forms of incentives that provide for an all-inclusive tariff, such as photovoltaic systems incentivised by the Quinto Conto Energia (Fifth Energy Bill – Ministerial Decree 5 July 2012) and non-photovoltaic renewable energy systems incentivised by the Ministerial Decrees 18 December 2008, 6 July 2012 and 23 June 2016.
Difference between Scambio sul Posto and Ritiro Dedicato
With the elimination of the Scambio sul Posto mechanism, scheduled for September 2025, the RID is certainly the most concrete alternative to valorise the excess energy produced by your photovoltaic system.
The Scambio sul Posto was based on a compensation mechanism between the energy taken from the grid and that fed into it: those who produced more than they consumed received a contribution calculated on the basis of the annual energy balance.
The Ritiro Dedicato, on the other hand, is based on a sales model: The GSE pays the producer a certain price for each kWh fed into the grid, with a flexible contract and without intermediaries. The price recognized to the producers depends on the type of system and any additional incentives recognized on the same. The GSE proceeds to the payment of the sale fee for the electricity fed into the grid on a monthly basis.
How to switch from Scambio sul Posto to Ritiro Dedicato?
According to Article 4-ter of the Energy Decree (Law 11/2024), the transition to RID will be regulated by progressive criteria, established by ARERA in collaboration with the Energy Services Manager (GSE), giving priority to older and more powerful plants. SSP agreements cannot be extended beyond 15 years and the transition will be accompanied by a minimum period of five years in which the Dedicated Withdrawal will represent the standard.
It must be said, however, that the switch to Ritiro Dedicato is not currently mandatory for all systems and, in some cases, it may not be convenient. In fact, RID is particularly convenient if you have a medium or large-sized system, or for companies and agricultural businesses that produce more energy than they consume.
Dedicated Ritiro Dedicato Rates: how much does the GSE pay in 2025
According to the Ritiro Dedicato contract, there are two methods of remuneration: the Hourly Zonal Price (Prezzo Zonale Orario – PO) and the Minimum Guaranteed Prices (Prezzi Minimi Garantiti – PMG).
If the system is:
- renewable source, not incentivized, with power up to 1 MW
- photovoltaic, incentivized, with power up to 100 kW
- hydroelectric, incentivized, with efficient power up to 500 kW
the producer can request the application of the Prezzi Minimi Garantiti (PMG) which, established annually by the Authority for Electricity, Gas and the Water System, differ according to source and energy band.
In all other cases, that is, if the system is:
- renewable source, incentivized, with power up to 1 MW (excluding the cases above)
- renewable source, incentivized or not, with power greater than 1 MW
the recognized price is the Prezzo Zonale Orario (PO), or the price that is formed on the electricity market that varies based on the time in which the energy is fed into the grid and the market area in which the plant is located. As established by the AEEG181/06 resolution, the time bands are:
- F1, which refers to weekdays (Monday to Friday) from 08:00am to 07:00pm;
- F2, which refers to weekdays (Monday to Friday) from 07:00am to 08:00am and from 07:00pm to 11:00pm. This band also includes Saturday from 07:00am to 11:00pm;
- F3, which includes every day from 12:00am to 07:00am and from 11:00pm to 12:00pm and Sundays and public holidays for the whole day.
How to access to Ritiro Dedicato?
To request the RID service you can choose between two distinct methods: the Modello Unico or the standard procedure. Both are managed by the GSE, but are aimed at different types of systems. The Modello Unico is the quickest way to access the RID. It can be used when the system is:
- Connected to already active low or medium voltage withdrawal points;
- With nominal power not exceeding 200 kW;
- Installed on building roofs or on external structures, as established by Legislative Decree 28/2011.
In this mode, the entire process is managed by the network operator: it is he who transmits the information to the GSE, which then provides for the automatic activation of the contract. Once the connection of the system to the electricity grid has been started, the RID contract comes into force and the user receives dedicated access to the GSE portal to view the details and monitor payments.
For all other systems that do not fall within the parameters of the Modello Unico, the standard mode is available. In this case, the producer must submit a request within 60 days of the system entering into operation, directly filling out the online application on the “Ritiro Dedicato” (RID) portal of the GSE Customer Area.
If you are in the transition phase from the old Scambio sul Posto to the new GSE Ritiro Dedicato system, or you are evaluating for the first time how to enhance the energy produced by your photovoltaic system, Southenergy is at your side.
We can take care of every technical and bureaucratic detail, from the analysis of the requirements to the complete management of the RID practice. In fact, since 2008, Due Diligence and Asset Management have been fully within the competence of Southenergy, essential services aimed at defining our truly “turnkey” projects. In fact, there are many customers who have long relied on our company and who today, in addition to the benefit deriving from the self-consumption of “self-made” electricity, can enjoy important economic benefits deriving from the valorization of the energy fed into the grid through mechanisms such as, for example, the RID.
Contact us to receive a free consultation and understand if the RID is the best solution for your system.
FAQ Ritiro dedicato
What RID is and who is it for?
Ritiro Dedicato (RID) is a service that allows electricity producers to sell the energy fed into the grid to GSE. It is aimed at plants powered by renewable and non-renewable sources that meet specific power and type requirements. For example, renewable source plants with a power of less than 10 MVA, or wind, solar, geothermal, or flowing water hydraulic plants, regardless of the power, can access it.
How do I access the RID service?
Despite the simplification of the procedure, we suggest relying on qualified operators who can manage what is in fact a sales model at its best and in light of the technical specifications of the system. In summary, to access the RID, the producer must:
- Register in the GSE Customer Area.
- Select the ” Ritiro Dedicato ” service and provide the system data.
- Sign an annual contract, which is tacitly renewed.
How is the energy sold to GSE billed?
Invoicing is done in electronic format (FatturaPA). The producer must:
- Access the GSE Customer Area.
- Fill in the invoice proposal generated by the GSE, entering the invoice number consistent with their accounting.
- Authorize the GSE to generate and transmit the electronic invoice to the Sistema di Interscambio / Exchange System (SDI).
The GSE sends a notification via email with the outcome of the sending to the SDI. If the outcome is positive, the invoice is available for download; if it is rejected, it is necessary to correct the errors reported and repeat the procedure.
What costs are associated with the RID service?
From 1st January 2015, producers adhering to the RID must pay the GSE an annual fee to cover management, verification and control costs. The fee is calculated based on the nominal power of the plant and varies according to the power bands, with an annual maximum. Plants with a nominal power of up to 3 kW are exempt from this fee.