Leonardo to Complete 43 MW Solar Program by End of 2026
The firm aims to offset 10% of its Italian energy usage through new solar installations across 20 global sites by year-end 2026.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Energy
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Leonardo is set to finish a 43 MW solar installation project across 20 global sites by December 31, 2026. This initiative currently has 64% of its planned capacity operational.
Why it matters
Expanding distributed solar generation across industrial sites reduces reliance on national grids and lowers carbon footprints for large-scale aerospace and defense manufacturers. The program reflects a broader corporate shift to stabilize energy costs and environmental impacts through onsite production.
The program targets 43 MW of total solar capacity, including a 9.8 MW plant at the Nola, Italy site. This specific facility utilizes over 24,000 solar panels covering 80,000 square meters to offset 24% of its local energy needs.
The players
Leonardo
An Italian multinational aerospace, defense, and security company operating large-scale manufacturing facilities.
Leonardo Global Solutions
The internal division responsible for managing real estate and facility energy infrastructure for the parent corporation.
The details
Leonardo Global Solutions is managing the deployment in partnership with external energy operators. The Nola plant illustrates the strategy, using a large-scale photovoltaic array to convert sunlight directly into electricity via semiconductor cells. These installations aggregate to provide 55 GWh of energy, enough to cover 10% of the firm's total electricity consumption within Italy.
Timeline
By December 31, 2026: Completion of all 43 MW of solar installations.
The Tech Race
This solar deployment follows the aggressive decarbonization benchmarks established by the European Union's Renewable Energy Directive. Leonardo is competing to reach energy self-sufficiency milestones that are becoming industry standards for aerospace manufacturers.
The transition directly impacts facility energy procurement, effectively reducing external grid dependency by 10% in Italy. Personnel at sites including the 9.8 MW Nola installation will operate alongside these new power arrays as they reach full capacity by late 2026.
The takeaway
Large industrial firms are increasingly moving to behind-the-meter solar arrays to meet internal sustainability targets. Stakeholders should monitor the 2026 year-end operational status report for confirmation that the full 43 MW capacity has been commissioned.
Further reading
For broader trends in industrial power, see our coverage of Energy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by pv magazine International.
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