About us
Officially founded on 21 September 2006, Assosolare, the Italian National Photovoltaic Industry Association, has more than fifty members and is dynamically structured for the development of leading projects for the promotion of photovoltaic energy in Italy.
This Association is internationally recognised as an authoritative counterparty in discussing all measures to be enacted and represents the requirements of the photovoltaic sectors vis-à-vis all parties and institutions involved. Assosolare is committed towards the creation of national and local legislation really encouraging the development of the photovoltaic market in line with the existing legislation in other European countries.
Assosolare was founded on the initiative of major photovoltaic component manufacturers, Carlo Gavazzi for plant monitoring and management tools and systems, BP and Mitsubishi Electric for solar panels, SIAC (SIEL Group) and Elettronica Santerno (Carraro Group) for inverters.
Over the years, the group of founding members has been joined by other important players of the photovoltaic sector active in the following fields of activity: mono/polycrystalline and amorphous silicon production, photovoltaic cells and modules, monitoring systems, solar trackers, integrated systems, parts distribution and installation, and plant design and architecture.
Assosolare is a member of Confindustria Energia (the Confederation of Italian Energy Industry) and participates in its taskforce on the study of energy efficiency in Italy.
It is also a member of C.N.E.S., the National Solar Energy Commission promoted by the Italian Ministry for the Environment, where it coordinates the “Business Community Group” (“Gruppo Imprese”).
It has currently participated in the taskforce instituted by AEEG (the Italian Electric Energy and Gas Authority) for renewable energy monitoring.
Furthermore, Assosolare is active worldwide. Together with the German association BSW Solar, it founded and currently coordinates the NNPVA Europe, i.e. the Network of European National Photovoltaic Associations. Together with EPIA (the European Photovoltaic Industry Association of which it is a member), Assosolare participates in a number of European meetings designed to exchange views and submit comments on the current reforms of EU legislation on incentives for the photovoltaic sector, and is also a member of the Policy workgroup. Assosolare’s International Affairs Officer is Angelo Nogara (Solkraft).
Assosolare has structured its activity around five workgroups: Architectural Design and Integration – monitoring regulatory developments and projects for sustainable construction and energy efficiency in buildings, coordinated by Maurizio Frigerio (RenGen Energia); Research and Industry – in charge of studying the potentials for the development of the photovoltaic sector in Italy through an analysis of current legislation and national and local incentive instruments, coordinated by Matthias Altieri (Q-Cells); Integrated Systems – analysing issues related to connection to the power grid, coordinated by Luca Fermo (Ray Energy) and Roberto Conca (Carlo Gavazzi); Financial and Insurance Instruments – in charge of comparing proposals from Italian and international insurance and banking institutions and drafting/negotiating agreements for members, coordinated by Valerio Salce (Baker McKenzie); Education and Training – following up projects for the dissemination and promotion of the photovoltaic sector through, among other things, the training of industry partners, coordinated by Luca Bandini (Sunpower Italia).
Assosolare signed a National Agreement with Centro Opere Salesiane (CNOS-FAP) for a qualified lifelong-learning project to be promoted throughout Italy. After the establishment of the first Training Centre in summer 2007 at the CNOS-FAP Institute of San Zeno di Verona, in January 2009 the second Training Centre was inaugurated at the CNOS-FAP Institute of Sesto San Giovanni (Milan). Further Training Centres are now being created at the CNOS-FAP Institutes of Catania and Rome and more Centres will gradually be rolled out in the other Italian branches. Finally, special courses for engineers and architects were launched in partnership with the relevant professional associations.
Another initiative worth mentioning is the recent five-year agreement signed by Assosolare with Saie Energia of Bologna in order to promote the integration of photovoltaic systems in the architecture of buildings.
