Italy is set to see a trebling of its solar energy capacity by the end of next year, it has been predicted.

The country is on course to see a major increase in the source thanks to new incentives introduced by its government in 2007, Reuters reports.

Managing director of state-run power management agency Gerardo Montanino GSE told the news agency: "If the current growth pace continues, we will see a total installed capacity of 800-900 megawatt (MW) in 2009 and about 1,200-1,300 MW by the end of 2010."

Such a development could be of interest to investors in Italian property, who may be keen to see their properties run on more green energy.

Forthcoming investments in solar energy in Italy include a major project by the Vatican.

The state will be fully powered by solar energy under the plan to build a 100 MW installation, which will be located on a 740-acre plot of land it owns north of Rome.

More Italian property could benefit from this project as the energy produced will exceed the Holy See’s needs.

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