THE AGRISOLAR PARK: Up to 80% grant contributions for photovoltaics on the roofs of agricultural buildings

2023 CALL PUBLISHED – CONTACT US TO APPLY FOR FREE FACILITATION FOR YOUR BUSINESS. A new Call was issued on 21st July, 2023, containing the procedures for submitting applications for access to the construction of photovoltaic plants to be installed on buildings for productive use in the agricultural, livestock and agro-industrial sectors, to be financed under the measure PNRR M2C1-I.2.2 “Agrisolar Park”. The resources available amount to around €1 billion euros. Investment support consists of a non-repayable contribution of up to 80% within the limits of the available grant as provided for by the Decree. The recipients of the measure are farms active in primary agricultural production, farms active in the sector of processing agricultural products as well as farms active in the sector of processing agricultural into non-agricultural products. The new grant scheme for the efficiency and solarization of agricultural, livestock and agro-industrial buildings represents a great step towards the energy sustainability of the sector and, at the same time, an opportunity to reduce production costs for the benefit of the competitiveness of agricultural companies.

Agrisolar: the main innovations

Among the main new features of the new 2023 announcement:

• An increase in the maximum allowable aid intensity;

• Doubling the maximum installable power from 500 kW/p to 1,000 kW/p;

• Doubling the maximum eligible expenditure for storage systems up to €100,000;

• Doubling the maximum eligible expenditure for charging devices to €30,000;

• Introduction of the new case of shared self-consumption;

• Participation of enterprises in aggregate form;

• Maximum expenditure per beneficiary of €2,330,000.

Applications may be submitted from 12th September, 2023 until 12th October, 2023.

Southenergy and the “Agrisolar Park” measure.

Our mission is to become a partner for those companies embarking on the journey of ecological transition, ensuring value creation and safeguarding investments. CONTACT US TO SUBMIT A FREE GRANT APPLICATION FOR YOUR BUSINESS  We will identify the best technical solution, specific to your company, within the “Parco Agrisolare” measure of the PNRR. From an initial feasibility study, to preliminary design, to the completion of the grant application process, we will take care of everything, at no cost to your business, dealing with the preparatory project investment up until the submission of the proposal for accessing the grant.

What is the “Agrisolar Park” Call for proposals 2023

Measure PNRR M2C1-I.2.2 “Agrisolar Park” provides for the selection and financing of interventions that consist of the purchase and installation of photovoltaic panels on the roofs of buildings instrumental to the activity of beneficiary companies. Along with the installation of photovoltaic systems, also those expenses related to the installation of electricity storage systems and/or electric recharging devices for sustainable mobility and agricultural machinery are considered eligible (subject to the ceilings imposed by the Decree). Together with these activities, one or more building upgrades may be carried out for the purpose of improving the energy efficiency of structures such as:

• The removal and disposal of asbestos from roofs
• The implementation of thermal insulation of roofs
• and/or the implementation of an aeration system.

Aims and Resources of Agrisolare 2023

Through the provision of a repayable grant of up to 80%, the investment pursues climate-environmental objectives in terms of contributing to climate change adaptation and mitigation through the promotion of sustainable energy and energy efficiency. The resources earmarked for financing the aforementioned interventions amount to €1,500 million from NRP funds. As a result of the December 2022 – March 2023 – July 2023 directorial decree, there are residual resources of €997,655,895.925:

• €697,655,895.925 million: interventions in primary agricultural production, within the limits of self-consumption;
• €150 million: interventions in the sector of processing agricultural products;
• €75 million: interventions in the sector of processing agricultural products into non-agricultural products;
• €75 million: interventions in the field of primary agricultural production – no self-consumption constraint.

An amount equal to at least 40% of the aforementioned resources is earmarked for financing projects to be implemented in the regions of Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Molise, Puglia, Sardinia and Sicily. Facilities are granted according to an over-the-counter procedure, within the limits of available financial resources.

Method and timing for submitting requests

Proposals, drafted in accordance with the instructions outlined within the Operating Rules, must be submitted, under penalty of inadmissibility, from 12:00 on 12th September, 2023 until 12:00 on 12th October, 2023. Submission by the applicant cannot follow the commencement of work on the implementation of the interventions relating to the Proposal. All grant applications must be made via the online platform, under penalty of inadmissibility of the application. All grants are subject to the preparation and submission of detailed registry and technical-project documentation (such as, by way of example, the registry of the beneficiary subject, cadastral description of the object of the intervention, technical reports authenticated by licensed professionals). The Implementing Entity (Gestore dei Servizi Energetici GSE S.p.A.) is then to proceed with verification of the eligibility of applications according to the methods and criteria established in the Measures. This is followed by publication on the website of the Ministry and the Implementing Entity of the list of Beneficiaries. Subjects admitted to the grant are required to implement, test and report on the interventions within 18 months from the date of publication of the relevant list of Beneficiaries (excluding any requests for extensions, supported by objective reasons, granted by the GSE in consultation with MASAF). Interventions must, in all cases, be implemented, tested and audited by 30th June, 2026.

Who are the target beneficiaries of the “Agrisolar Park” 2023 Call?

The notice clearly identifies the beneficiaries of the measure. Beneficiaries are to include:

• Agricultural entrepreneurs, whether in individual or corporate form;
• Agro-industrial enterprises;
• Agricultural cooperatives engaged in those activities referred to in Article 2135 of the Civil Code and cooperatives or their consortia, as referred to in Article 1, paragraph 2, of Legislative Decree No. 228 of 18th May, 2001, regardless of their members;
• Entities referred to in the above points formed in aggregate form such as, but not limited to, temporary associations of enterprises (A.T.I.), temporary groupings of enterprises (R.T.I.), business networks and renewable energy communities (RECs).

Extent of the grant

All interventions carried out are granted capital financing with a maximum aid intensity that varies, with respect to eligible expenses, and is governed by the decree itself. COMPANIES IN THE PRIMARY AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION SECTOR – within the limits of self-consumption and new case of shared self-consumption: the maximum grant recognizable is 80% of eligible expenses. COMPANIES IN THE PRIMARY AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION SECTOR-no self-consumption constraint: the maximum recognizable grant is 30% of eligible expenses. The grant may be increased by:

• 20 percentage points, for aid provided to small businesses;
• 10 percentage points, for aid provided to medium-sized enterprises;
• 15 percentage points for investments made in assisted areas (Molise, Campania, Apulia, Basilicata, Calabria, Sicily, Sardinia).

COMPANIES IN THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT PROCESSING SECTOR: the maximum recognizable grant is equal to.

• 80% of eligible expenses if the PV system capacity is between 6 kWp and 200 kWp;
• 65% of eligible expenses if the PV system capacity is between 200 kWp and 500 kWp;
• 50% of eligible expenses if the system capacity is greater than 500 kWp up to a maximum of 1000 kWp.

COMPANIES IN THE SECTOR OF PROCESSING AGRICULTURAL TO NON-AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS: the maximum recognizable intensity is 30 % of eligible expenses. The contribution intensity can be increased by:

• 20 percentage points, for provided given to small businesses;
• 10 percentage points, for provided given to medium-sized enterprises;
• 15 percentage points for investments made in assisted areas (Molise, Campania, Apulia, Basilicata, Calabria, Sicily, Sardinia).

Interventions and eligible expenses

To apply for the contribution as provided by the Decree, the photovoltaic system must be of new construction and with total peak power (expressed in kWp), not less than 6 kWp and not more than 1000 kWp.  The contribution is recognized, within the expenditure limits provided, for the construction of photovoltaic systems on roofs instrumental to agricultural activity and for the implementation of other complementary interventions (where provided) aimed at upgrading and/or the energy efficiency of the buildings concerned. Each individual Grantee may apply for access to the grant with a maximum eligible expenditure not exceeding €2,330,000, broken down as follows:

• Up to €1,500,000 for the installation of photovoltaic panels;
• up to €700,000 for complementary interventions (asbestos removal, ventilation, insulation);
• Up to €100,000 for storage systems;
• Up to €30,000 for charging devices.

For all interventions described, design costs, affidavits and other professional expenses required by the type of intervention, including those related to the preparation and presentation of the Proposal, construction management and testing, are allowed within the relevant expenditure ceilings.

Why choose Southenergy

Since 2008, we have been providing solutions aimed at enhancing renewable sources for “self-made” clean energy use. We have been doing this for 15 years.

• Southenergy’s service excellence: Consulting and Design, Construction, O&M, Due Diligence, Asset Management, Monitoring, Digital Energy.
• Our team’s know-how: We manage the entire value chain with qualified in-house staff and company vehicles and equipment, ensuring reliability and expertise at each stage of the project.
• Warranty and quality: We are official partners with top quality brands of materials in order to always guarantee the highest quality standing of our installations.