MET Energia Italia, a subsidiary of Swiss-based MET Group, has launched the first Renewable Energy Community in Lombardy.
The Staffora 1 community is open to all citizens, companies and local authorities in the area, and uses renewable energy to generate savings.
The community’s photovoltaic plant is located on the roofs of a disused company centre in the village of Cegni.
The installed panels can produce up to 200KW of energy, with the possibility of increasing up to 400KW if demand grows.
So far, Staffora 1 has collected 100 signatures, or contact points, and the energy produced is sufficient to supply 200 households.
MET Energia Italia was responsible for developing the project, building the plant and – in cooperation with local authorities – oversaw the authorisation process.
Chief executive officer of MET Italia Energy Solutions Vita Carrerio said: “The energy community in the Staffora Valley represents a cutting-edge project with a high innovative value.
“We are proud that MET Energia Italia has promoted and overseen its implementation.
“Our goal is to help improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact in industrial and commercial sectors.
“Whilst Staffora 1 is a significant achievement, we are already working on financing other photovoltaic systems on the roofs of our industrial partners, throughout Italy.
“This will also benefit citizens who decide to join the energy communities we promote.”