Industries
Renewable energy
We support operators of photovoltaic and hydropower plants as well as energy communities with economic and tax matters, from planning through to ongoing operation.
Industry
What matters to you
Anyone who generates, self-consumes, sells or shares electricity must address a range of tax issues. We examine the consequences of the chosen model for income, VAT, depreciation and incentives.
We advise companies, farmers, cooperatives and private individuals who generate, consume or share energy. We work with engineers and planners and take care of the tax and economic side.
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Photovoltaic systems
Whether a photovoltaic system is relevant for tax purposes depends on who operates it, how large it is and what happens to the electricity. A small system for a household’s own consumption is treated differently from one whose electricity is mainly sold. For businesses, the system is usually a business asset that is depreciated.
In agriculture, electricity generation can, under certain conditions, qualify as an agricultural activity and be taxed at a preferential rate. Before the investment, we assess how the installation is to be classified for tax purposes, also taking into account land registry issues and the municipal property tax.
Hydropower plants
Small and medium-sized hydroelectric plants in South Tyrol are often operated by municipalities, cooperatives, families or businesses. They require a concession from the Province, which comes with fees and conditions, and involve high initial investment with long terms.
We help you choose the right legal form and assist with financing and feasibility calculations, depreciation of the installations and ongoing bookkeeping. For companies with several partners, we also take care of partnership agreements, profit sharing and annual financial statements.
Renewable energy communities
A Renewable Energy Community (Comunità Energetica Rinnovabile, CER) is a group of citizens, businesses, associations or municipalities that share locally generated electricity. Shared energy qualifies for a state incentive administered by the energy services operator GSE (Gestore dei Servizi Energetici).
The community needs its own legal form, such as an association or a cooperative, articles of association and clear rules on how the incentive is shared among members. We advise you on formation and articles, clarify the tax treatment of the incentive payments and handle bookkeeping and settlement.
- Choice of legal form and articles of association
- Tax treatment of the grant
- Accounting and distribution to members
Grants, grid feed-in and billing
Electricity fed into the grid can be remunerated in different ways, for example through purchase by the GSE or sale to traders. There are also investment grants, tax credits and provincial contributions, whose conditions change regularly and some of which are mutually exclusive.
We check which incentives are available for your project and how they interact. In ongoing accounting, we make sure that feed-in tariffs, grants and VAT are recorded correctly and that reporting obligations to the relevant authorities are met.
Step by step
How we work together
Discuss your project
Together with you and your technicians, we clarify what installation is planned, who will operate it and how the electricity is to be used.
Review taxes and funding
We assess the project from a tax perspective and show which incentives may apply and which deadlines must be met.
Set up the structure
If required, we set up the appropriate company or community and establish the accounting and billing.
Day-to-day operations
We handle bookkeeping, filings and financial statements and keep track of changes in incentives and regulations.
Frequently asked questions
Answers on photovoltaics, energy communities and legal forms.
Do I have to pay tax on my private photovoltaic system?
That depends on how the system is used and the type of payment. Even for private systems, payments for electricity fed into the grid may be relevant for tax purposes. We review the contracts and statements and clarify your reporting obligations.
Can my business join an energy community?
Participation is subject to rules on which businesses are eligible, their activity and the configuration of the energy community. We review these requirements together with the technical experts before you join.
How is funding for an energy community taxed?
That depends on the legal form of the community and how the amounts are passed on to its members. The treatment may differ for private individuals, businesses and municipalities. We clarify this at the formation stage and take it into account in the articles of association.
Which legal form suits a hydropower plant with several stakeholders?
Limited liability companies and cooperatives are the main options. The decisive factors are the number and type of participants, financing, liability and the desired profit distribution. We compare the options with you and support you through the formation.
Let’s talk about your plans.
Arrange a no-obligation initial meeting in Merano, Laces or online.