Overview
Caltagirone is an 11 MW operational solar PV facility in Italy. It contributes to the country's renewable energy capacity under the EU Renewable Energy Directive III.
Caltagirone is an operational solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant located in Italy, with a capacity of 11 megawatts (MW). This scale places it in the small-to-medium range for solar PV facilities in the country, supporting local and national renewable energy generation. The plant operates under Italy's regulatory framework, which aligns with the EU Renewable Energy Directive III (2023/2413), targeting 42.5% renewable energy by 2030. Italy supports solar PV through feed-in tariffs and grid-connection regimes, encouraging distributed generation and utility-scale projects like Caltagirone. As a solar PV facility, Caltagirone generates electricity without direct emissions, contributing to Italy's decarbonization goals. Its grid-connected role helps integrate renewable energy into the local power system, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and supporting energy transition targets.
Environmental context
Solar PV plants like Caltagirone have a low environmental footprint during operation, with no air or water emissions. However, land use for solar arrays can impact local ecosystems and visual landscapes. In Italy, solar development is often sited on agricultural or marginal lands, requiring careful planning to minimize conflicts. The facility's location in Sicily benefits from high solar irradiance, maximizing energy yield while balancing land-use considerations.
Frequently asked questions
The Caltagirone solar PV plant is located in Italy, near the city of Caltagirone in Sicily, at coordinates 37.176 N, 14.459 E.
The Caltagirone solar plant has an installed capacity of 11 megawatts (MW), making it a small-to-medium scale solar PV facility.
Yes, the Caltagirone solar plant is currently operational and generating electricity from solar energy.
Italy's solar PV sector is supported by the EU Renewable Energy Directive III, which sets a 42.5% renewable energy target by 2030, along with national feed-in tariffs and grid-connection policies.
Solar PV plants like Caltagirone generate clean electricity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping Italy meet its EU-mandated renewable energy targets.