Free electricity for six hours across Italy: here's what's happening
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. zero energy prices on the peninsula: a day with low consumption and high photovoltaic production
2' min read
2' min read
On a public holiday with low consumption and excellent production photovoltaics, the Italian electricity market recorded prices at or close to zero for the first time in history for eight consecutive hours (from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) in all parts of the country, from Sicily to northern Italy.
An unprecedented event that concretely demonstrates how photovoltaics can already lower electricity prices and bring direct benefits to families and businesses. "Photovoltaics reduces bills for everyone, starting with businesses that have contracts indexed to the wholesale price," commented Paolo Rocco Viscontini, president of Italia Solare. "This is a practical demonstration that more solar means less energy spending for everyone. It can be done by continuing to ensure the security of the grid, as is already being done in Italy thanks to very strict rules that producers must abide by, preventing emergency situations such as occurred in Spain with the recent blackout'.
However, the prolonged presence of zero or, as is already the case in some European countries, even negative prices poses some systemic challenges. First and foremost, the need to invest rapidly in storage, which allows part of the solar energy to be shifted from the central hours to the evening hours, contributing to the security of the electricity grid.
It is important to protect photovoltaic producers who, in the event of prolonged zero prices or frequent production limitations (curtailment) imposed by the grid operator, risk having insufficient revenues to cover their costs. In this context, the recent ARERA resolution 128/2025, which was approved on 28 March and came into force on 1 April, finally extends to all non-programmable renewable sources - including photovoltaics - the right to remuneration for lost production due to grid requirements.
An important measure that, until now, was only recognised for wind power, and which represents a necessary protection in a system in which curtailments could become increasingly frequent if accumulations are not developed in good time.
