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On-Site Exchange: what changes in 2026

Everything you need to know about the closure of On-Site Exchange and the transition towards RID and Energy Communities.

2026 marks a historic turning point for the Photovoltaic landscape in Italy: On-Site Exchange (SSP) has officially closed its doors to new subscriptions. In line with the Energy transition path outlined by recent decrees, the final deadline of 26 September 2025 marked the definitive end of applications for this historic compensation mechanism.

Those who own a system must now deal with an evolving scenario: if your agreement is less than 15 years old, you will be able to continue using it until its natural expiry; if, on the other hand, it has exceeded this threshold, the transition to the Dedicated Withdrawal (RID) regime has now become automatic. For those installing a system today, the available solutions focus on physical self-consumption supported by storage systems and on participation in Renewable Energy Communities.

How did On-Site Exchange work?

On-Site Exchange was based on an agreement that made it possible to receive a contribution from the GSE, the Energy Services Operator, on the electricity exchanged with the grid. This mechanism allowed any Energy exceeding one’s own consumption to be fed into the electricity grid and “used virtually” when domestic production was not sufficient, for example during the night or on cloudy days.

The technical functioning was based on a contract with the GSE which, by cross-checking meter data, paid the Exchange Account Contribution. This bank transfer reimbursed the user not only for the value of the Energy, but also for a share of grid services and system charges. Introduced by ARERA Resolution ARG/elt 74/08 of 2008 and subsequently regulated by the Integrated Text for On-Site Exchange, TISP, ARERA Resolution 570/2012/R/efr, the mechanism was open to systems up to a maximum of 500 kW, provided that production and consumption took place at the same connection point.

How has the service changed: from 2024 to its definitive closure in 2026?

The path towards definitive closure was structured in three key steps that transformed the market:

31 December 2024: renewals stopped for agreements that had been active for more than 15 years, marking the beginning of the gradual phase-out;

29 May 2025: this was the last useful date to connect a system to the grid and still be able to benefit from this regime;

26 September 2025: this represented the absolute final deadline for submitting subscription applications through the GSE portal.

Today, in 2026, it is no longer possible to activate new contracts. However, the regulation protects those who already have an active agreement that is not yet “over fifteen years old”, allowing them to maintain the SSP regime until its natural expiry.

2026 updates for On-Site Exchange

For those who still have an active contract or have just switched to the alternative regime, there are some relevant updates to monitor.

For Photovoltaic and wind power plants with a capacity equal to or greater than 100 kW connected to medium voltage, ARERA Resolution 385/2025 introduced the obligation to install the Central Plant Controller (CCI) with PF2 function, which allows active power limitation upon remote command from the grid distributor.

The subsequent Resolution 564/2025, published on 23 December 2025, redefined the adjustment schedule for existing plants, extending the original deadlines across three power ranges: plants between 100 kW and 500 kW must comply by 31 March 2028; those between 500 kW and 1 MW by 31 December 2027; plants with a capacity greater than 1 MW, the most urgent range, must activate the PF2 functionality through the CCI by 31 December 2026.

It should be noted that the distinction between “existing” and “new” plants, on which the timelines depend, is based on the connection request date: plants for which this request was submitted by 31 October 2025 are considered “existing”. Those who do not comply with the deadlines are subject to suspension of incentives by the GSE. For small plants below 100 kW, this obligation does not apply.

For those who have switched to RID, the proceeds paid by the GSE are automatically transmitted to the Italian Revenue Agency and appear in the pre-filled tax return, a mechanism introduced starting from the 2025 tax return, on amounts paid in 2024, and fully operational in 2026.

For agreements terminated or switched to RID during 2025, the GSE will process the final calculations and proceed with payment of the balance, in line with what already happened for the closures of 31 December 2024, settled by 30 June 2025.

What should you do if you have a Photovoltaic system?

The options vary depending on the age of your installation.

If your contract is more than 15 years old: you automatically switch to Dedicated Withdrawal (RID). Under this regime, you sell the Energy to the GSE, but you no longer receive reimbursement for grid charges. To offset this lower gain, since RID remunerates the Energy fed into the grid at market prices that are structurally lower than the Exchange Account Contribution, the most efficient solution is to install a storage system.

If your contract has been active for less than 15 years: you can remain under On-Site Exchange until the end of the expected period, after which the switch to RID will be automatic.

If you install a system today: Dedicated Withdrawal is the standard option, but you can enhance its benefits by joining a Renewable Energy Community (CER), obtaining extra incentives for the Energy shared with your neighbours.

What are the alternatives to On-Site Exchange?

Dedicated Withdrawal (RID)

Renewable Energy Community (CER)

Dedicated Withdrawal (RID)

The first and most immediate alternative to On-Site Exchange is Dedicated Withdrawal, a service also managed by the GSE, which allows the producer to market, through the GSE, the Energy produced by a Photovoltaic system and fed into the electricity grid. It is therefore a mechanism designed to simplify the commercialization of Energy, based on a commercial contract under which the GSE will pay the producer a specific price for each kWh fed into the grid. Any capacity is allowed for plants that produce electricity from renewable solar sources, and the service can be accessed through the Single Model or Standard Procedure on the dedicated page of the official GSE website.

It is important to know that the Dedicated Withdrawal service can be combined with the incentives provided for Renewable Energy Communities and other distributed self-consumption configurations: those who join RID can therefore also evaluate participation in a CER without having to give up remuneration for the Energy fed into the grid.

Renewable Energy Communities (CER)

You can also choose to join a Renewable Energy Community (CER) free of charge, where local Energy from Renewable sources is produced and virtually shared between producers and consumers located within the geographical area served by the same primary substation. Private citizens, small and medium-sized enterprises, local authorities, research bodies, religious entities, third-sector organizations and environmental protection bodies can join.

Within a CER, you can be:

a producer of Renewable Energy, with your Photovoltaic system;
a self-consumer of Renewable Energy, therefore both producer and consumer with a personal Photovoltaic system, sharing excess Energy with the other members of the community;
only a consumer of the Energy produced by the other members.

CERs can access the available incentives by applying to the GSE for access to the distributed self-consumption service.

In addition to Renewable Energy Communities, there are also other self-consumption configurations that access the incentive on shared Energy, such as groups of self-consumers acting collectively or individual remote self-consumers using the distribution grid.

Photovoltaic for your Renewable Energy

Installing a Photovoltaic system is a convenient, reliable and Sustainable long-term choice that allows you to reduce polluting emissions and save on your bill. If you are an Enel Energia customer or want to become one, you can benefit from numerous advantages by choosing an Enel Edition Photovoltaic system from our website.

Self-produce your Renewable Energy, help the environment and save on your bill.

Let’s simplify your choices, together

Do you have questions or would you like to learn more about what you have just read? One of our consultants is available to clarify any doubts and will help you find the ideal product for your needs.

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Frequently asked questions

It is no longer possible to activate new agreements. The last access was reserved for those whose system was in operation by 29 May 2025 and who had submitted the application to the GSE by 26 September 2025. For new systems, the options are Dedicated Withdrawal or CERs.

If the value of the Energy fed into the grid exceeds the Energy withdrawn, you can choose between monetary settlement, which is taxed, or carrying the credit forward to subsequent years, which is not taxed.

Yes, it is possible to add batteries to a system under SSP. This reduces the Energy exchanged but increases direct savings on the bill, which is the most efficient form of gain.

There is no single closure date for all users. The mechanism has already been closed to new subscriptions since 26 September 2025. For those with an active agreement, it remains valid until 15 years have passed since signing.

Systems with agreements already over fifteen years old were automatically closed on 31 December 2024, with settlement of any surpluses by 30 June 2025 and automatic transition to Dedicated Withdrawal. In any case, the final settlement of surpluses always takes place by 30 June of the year following the closure of the contract.

It is important to distinguish between two different components of the SSP mechanism, which have different tax treatments. The simple contribution paid for On-Site Exchange (SSP) is considered an expense reimbursement and does not constitute taxable income. Therefore, it must not be indicated in the tax return.

If, on the other hand, you have received the settlement of monetary surpluses at the end of the year, these must be declared under “other income”. Starting from the 2025 tax return, on amounts paid in 2024, the GSE automatically transmits them to the Italian Revenue Agency and they appear in the pre-filled tax return.