PARTNERSHIP

Land referral or co-developer: become a GDS Sole Italie partner

Who can become a GDS Sole Italie partner

The development of a photovoltaic plant always begins with the identification of suitable land. To host a solar plant, land must meet specific regulatory, technical, urban planning and environmental requirements. Discover the criteria required and the opportunities for landowners on our dedicated page for land valorisation.

To identify new development opportunities and expand its presence across the entire national territory, GDS Sole Italie seeks local partners with an in-depth knowledge of their territory. Their role consists in identifying potentially suitable land, representing GDS Sole Italie at a local level, establishing relationships with landowners, contributing to land acquisition and, in some cases, participating in project development.

We are looking for professionals capable of bringing their knowledge of the local context and their ability to facilitate dialogue between GDS Sole Italie and the various local stakeholders. This opportunity is aimed at consultants, intermediaries, estate agents, professionals and figures who maintain established relationships with landowners, businesses and local authorities.

Two collaboration models

Depending on the profile, experience and desired level of involvement, collaboration with GDS Sole Italie can take two distinct forms.

Scouting contract

With this model, the partner identifies and refers potentially suitable land for the development of a photovoltaic or agrivoltaic plant.

GDS Sole Italie carries out a preliminary assessment of the land based on regulatory, technical, urban planning and environmental criteria. If the outcome is positive, the partner continues their support activity in relations with landowners through to the signing of the agreements required for land availability.

GDS Sole Italie then handles the entire project lifecycle: development, financing, construction and plant management.

This arrangement is particularly suited to professionals who have a solid local contact network, but who do not operate directly in renewable energy project development. Remuneration for the referral partner is generally structured in two phases:

a first milestone upon signing of the land contract
a second milestone upon the project reaching Ready-to-Build (RTB) status

The time between these two milestones depends on the complexity of the permitting process and the project development timeline, generally between 2 and 5 years.

Co-development contract

For partners with specific expertise in the renewable energy sector, GDS Sole Italie offers a co-development arrangement.

In this model, the partner takes an operational role in development, coordinating and supporting the activities required to obtain authorisations on behalf of GDS Sole Italie. As investor and plant owner, GDS Sole Italie coordinates the development process, oversees key project decisions and manages the main stakeholders involved.

This collaboration model is primarily aimed at engineering firms, developers and professionals already active in the renewable energy sector, with the expertise to manage technical, electrical, agronomic, environmental and landscape aspects.

GDS Sole Italie is interested both in developing new greenfield opportunities and in acquiring or co-developing projects already underway, for which the permitting process has been initiated but construction has not yet begun.

Here too, remuneration is generally defined through milestones linked to project progress, from the signing of the land contract with the owner through to the project reaching Ready-to-Build (RTB) status. The duration of the various phases depends on the characteristics of the project and its permitting process, with an average duration generally of between 2 and 5 years.

What GDS Sole Italie offers its partners

Working with GDS Sole Italie means partnering with an operator that manages the entire value chain of a photovoltaic project: from land identification through to plant construction and management.

Depending on the collaboration model, the partner can focus on identifying opportunities or actively participate in project development as well, counting on a solid, experienced structure that has been operating on the Italian market for several years.

Responsiveness and flexibility at the service of partners

GDS Sole Italie is the Italian subsidiary of Générale du Solaire, a French group active in photovoltaics since 2008. With approximately twenty years of experience in developing, financing, constructing and managing photovoltaic plants, the group represents a reliable, long-term partner for the development of new energy projects.

Find out more about GDS Sole Italie

The Générale du Solaire group controls the entire value chain of a solar photovoltaic project as an independent renewable energy producer. This integrated approach guarantees decision-making continuity, operational speed and a long-term vision.

Find out more about GDS Sole Italie’s in-house expertise

Consolidated experience in Italy

GDS Sole Italie has a presence across the national territory with plants already built and in operation, as well as a continuously growing development pipeline. The experience gained in various territorial contexts enables it to effectively address the regulatory, permitting and operational specificities of projects in Italy.

Find out more about GDS Sole Italie’s completed projects

Impianto fotovoltaico a terra – Manduria (TA) – Puglia Superficie: 10 ha - Potenza : 7 MWp — Ground-mounted photovoltaic power plant – Manduria (TA), Puglia - Area: 10 ha - Installed power: 7 MWp

A solid and independent group

Flexible and responsive, GDS Sole Italie is able to assess new opportunities quickly and provide clear feedback to its partners within short timeframes. Whether it is a land referral, a co-development proposal or the acquisition of a project already underway, every opportunity is analysed promptly so as not to miss it.

GDS Sole Italie places great importance on the quality of its relationships with partners. It therefore guarantees direct dialogue, transparent communication and a flexible approach, capable of adapting to the characteristics of the territory and the specific needs of each counterpart.

Those wishing to begin a collaboration can contact GDS Sole Italie by filling in the dedicated form or by writing directly to gdssole@gdsolaire.com. Every request is handled promptly and assessed by the relevant team.

Impianto fotovoltaico a terra – Bitonto (BA) – Puglia Superficie: 15 ha - Potenza: 12 MWp — Ground-mounted photovoltaic power plant – Bitonto (BA), Puglia - Area: 15 ha - Installed power: 12 MWp

Frequently asked questions

Is it necessary to own land to apply as a referral partner?
No. Through their in-depth knowledge of the territory, the referral partner identifies and proposes third-party land. If you yourself own land and wish to explore a sale or a surface right, the relevant page is Transferring your land for a photovoltaic or agrivoltaic plant.
What is the difference between referral and co-development?
The referral partner plays a role in identifying new land. Drawing on their contact network and in-depth knowledge of the territory, they connect landowners with GDS Sole Italie to initiate new opportunities. In addition to referral, the co-developer also becomes involved in project development and supports the operational costs associated with obtaining the authorisations required for plant construction and operation. The co-development model is primarily aimed at engineering firms, developers and professionals already active in the renewable energy sector, with the expertise to manage technical, electrical, agronomic, environmental and landscape aspects.
How is the compensation defined?
For each collaboration model, the partner receives a fee commensurate with the project and their level of involvement. This fee is paid across several milestones, based on project progress.
Is it possible to operate across the entire Italian territory?
Yes. GDS Sole Italie is present throughout Italy, with numerous projects in the development, construction and management phases. To continue its growth, GDS Sole Italie is constantly seeking new opportunities in all regions of Italy.