Subsidy (Conto termico)

• DI 16/02/2016
• L 147/2013
• DM 28/12/2012

A subsidy scheme that promotes increased energy efficiency and the production of thermal energy from renewable sources in small plants by the redevelopment of buildings. It stimulates the decrease of energy demand through more efficient appliances and the introduction of RES-H sources to satisfy the demand of end users. Aerothermal, hydrothermal, biomass, geothermal and solar thermal are eligible sources, if they fall in one of the following cases (Art. 4.2 DI 16/02/2016):
• Substitution of existing heating systems with heat pumps combined with sanitary hot water production, along with the installation of heat metering systems in the case of plants with a thermal output higher than 200 kW;
• Substitution of existing heating systems with biomass installations, along with the installation of heat metering systems in the case of plants with a thermal output higher than 200 kW;
• Substitution of existing boilers with heat pump-based boilers
• Installation of solar thermal systems combined with solar cooling systems, for the generation of thermal energy for production purposes or for district heating networks.
The incentive is granted for a period varying between 2 and 5 years, depending on beneficiaries, applied technology and capacity. Installations in public buildings receive incentives for five-years. Other than that, plants with a capacity equal or below 35 kW usually qualify for 2 years support, while plants above 35kW receive incentives for 5 years. Moreover, replacement of electric water heaters with heat pump water heaters qualifies only for 2 years. And finally solar thermal collector installation (also combined with solar cooling systems) with gross solar surface less than or equal to 50 square meters receive incentives for 2 years while above 50 m2 (until 2500m2) for 5 years.
The Conto termico is applicable to the year 2021 (DI 16/02/2016). It provides 900 million euros per year - 700 of which is for individuals and businesses, and 200 of which is for public administrations, population cooperatives, or social and public heritage companies (Art. 3.1, DI 16/02/2016).

Incentives are paid by the GSE in the form of annual rates for a period of 2 or 5 years, or in a single amount, in case that the incentive does not exceed €,000. The incentive level varies depending on the type of the plant, source, capacity and location of the installation and it is calculated by the formulas given in Art. 7, Table A, in conjunction with Annex I and II DI 16/02/2016.

Individuals, businesses, public administrations, population cooperatives and social and public heritage companies are eligible (Art. 3.1, DI 16/02/2016).

The plant operator must file the access request through the card-application at the website of GSE within 60 days from the date in which works on the installation are finished (Art. 6, c.1 and c.3 DI 16/02/2016). The data entered in the card-application will be subject to an initial review to check compliance with the minimum requirements for the installations (Art. 6, c.8 DI 16/02/2016).
Following the verification of the submitted data, the plant operator will receive a contract. The plant operator should accept the conditions contained in the contact to be granted the incentive (Art. 6, c.8 and c.9 DI 16/02/2016).

GSE