Residential plants investment appraisal subsequent to the new supporting photovoltaic economic mechanism in Italy

Solar energy is a fascinating promise for the future of world economies considering both the progressive depletion of natural fossil fuels and the environmental impact of their massive utilisation in energy conversion systems. After an outlook of more evident tech no-economic, environmental and social issues related to photovoltaic (PV) sector, the paper proposes a financial appraisal of a real case concerning a private residential PV building-integrated plant in order to highlight its economic feasibility according to last supporting mechanism introduced by recent Italian legislation. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.