This year could bring the breakthrough for solar thermal in Italy. The Italian Government is developing a national building law, which regulates the use of solar thermal installations for hot water production in new buildings and for refurbishment projects. In addition, a tax reduction of 55 % for each purchase of a solar thermal installation is planned, according to Riccardo Battisti. “This could be a quite effective measure”, says the Secretary General of Assolterm, the Italian solar thermal industry association, quoted in estec 2007's newsletter.
In 2005, the Italian market experienced an increase of 25 % up to 50,4 MWth (72.000 square metres) – still a moderate result compared to other European countries like Austria, Greece or France. The lack of a national support scheme and the negligible knowledge of planers and installers in solar thermal technology are important reasons for this tiny market growth, according to Battisti. A special training programme for plumbers, designed by Assolterm, combined with the tax reduction and the nationwide solar obligation are considered appropriate to bring the expected revival for the solar thermal sector.

---