Salvatore Guastella*, Fabrizio Paletta* , Salvatore Castello**, Anna De Lillo**, Saverio Li Causi**, Francesco De Lia**, Mario Tucci** 24th European PV Solar Energy Conference Hamburg, 21-25 Settembre 2009 * ERSE SpA ** ENEA C.R. CASACCIA In this paper is analyzed the status and the perspectives of the Italian photovoltaic market and its influence on the industry and on the research activities. In particular are described the most significant sectors of photovoltaic power application, the promoting initiatives, the major manufacturers involved in the production of cells, modules and balance of system, the company able to design and install systems, as well as the organizations and the related research and development areas and activities. As far as the promoting initiatives, the first results and the perspectives of the “Conto energia” Programme are discussed, highlighting the differences between the new and the old decrees, the incentive tariffs and the related pay back time, taking into account the trend in component and system prices. Moreover, each photovoltaic industry operator is classified according to the capacity and the real production, the characteristics of the products, the process phases and the raw materials used as well as prices and import export data. Finally are analyzed the required resources as well as the estimated labour places.