Italy added 1.44 GW of new solar capacity in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026, reflecting a mixed trend across segments, with growth in large-scale installations offset by a slowdown in the residential market.

The country had 2,216,994 solar installations with a cumulative capacity of 44,952 MW as of March 31, 2026. During the quarter, 50,513 new systems were installed.

After a weak start in January, particularly for projects above 1 MW, installations recovered in February and March. However, deployment levels remain below the pace required for Italy to achieve its annual installation target of 6–7 GW and its longer-term goal of 79 GW by 2030.

The slowdown was driven primarily by the residential segment, which declined 13% year-over-year (YoY), and a 9% YoY drop in utility-scale installations. In contrast, the commercial and industrial (C&I) segment recorded a 24% YoY increase.

The residential segment, comprising systems below 20 kW, added 313 MW during Q1, accounting for about 22% of total installations. The segment also recorded the highest number of new installations at 46,103 systems.

The C&I segment, covering systems between 20 kW and 1 MW, installed 566 MW, accounting for 39% of total quarterly additions across 4,251 installations.

Utility-scale projects of 1 MW and above contributed 560 MW, accounting for around 39% of new capacity, despite a relatively small number of installations (159). Within this segment, projects above 10 MW continue to gain prominence.

Regionally, Lombardy led in cumulative installed capacity, surpassing 6,000 MW, followed by Veneto at 4,510 MW and Lazio at 4,214 MW.

In terms of new capacity additions in Q1 2026, Lombardy again ranked first with 266 MW, followed by Veneto with 178 MW and Piedmont with 168 MW. Sicily and Puglia added 126 MW and 100 MW, respectively. Lombardy also recorded the highest number of new installations at 7,712 systems, ahead of Veneto and Emilia-Romagna.

On a per-capita basis, Marche, Friuli Venezia Giulia, and Piedmont emerged as the leading regions for new installations during the quarter.

Year-over-year comparisons show significant regional disparities. Sardinia recorded a steep 276% decline in new installations, while Lazio and Umbria saw declines of 199% and 114%, respectively. In contrast, Marche, Tuscany, and Calabria reported increases of 58%, 45%, and 44%, respectively, with additional gains observed in Lombardy, Veneto, and Piedmont.

Last December, Italy’s energy management agency, the Gestore dei Servizi Energetici, awarded 1,100 MW of solar projects under Italy’s Fonti di Energia Rinnovabile X Transitory program.

The agency had earlier awarded 7,700 MW of solar projects under the Fonti di Energia Rinnovabile X Transitory program.