The Central Plant Controller is the device required by grid regulations to govern the power fed into the grid. SunGuard supplies it, installs it and integrates it into monitoring: a node visible on the platform, not a standalone object.
Grid
The certified interface between the plant and the grid operator.
Device
Central Plant Controller
The CCI is the certified interface between the PV plant and the grid operator. It receives commands to reduce the power fed into the grid — dispatching — from GSE or the local distributor, transmits them to the plant and certifies their execution.
It is a mandatory requirement for plants under scheduled dispatching and for those subject to the limitations of the TERNA Grid Code.
Regulatory obligation
Prescribed by TERNA, CEI 0-16 and the ARERA resolutions.
In Italy, installation of the CCI is required by the CEI 0-16 Standard and the ARERA resolutions (540/2021, 730/2022, 385/2025): observability and controllability for MV plants above threshold, with financial contributions for upgrading existing plants between 100 kW and 1 MW.
Failure to install or malfunction may lead to the suspension of incentives or disconnection from the grid. Details on deadlines, contributions and specifications are in the Insights section just below.
Regulations, contributions, features and specifications.
Regulatory framework, incentives for upgrading and technical data sheet of the CCI SunGuard Energy: Central Plant Controller with integrated PowerMeter and optional Power Quality, compliant with CEI 0-16 and the ARERA resolutions.
Reference regulations
The CCI is the instrument envisaged by Italian regulations for the observability and controllability of generation plants connected at medium voltage. The CCI SunGuard Energy is designed in compliance with the CEI / ARERA framework set out below.
Regulatory framework
CEI 0-16 Ed. 03/2022 — Reference technical rule for the connection of active and passive users to the MV and HV networks of distribution companies; Annexes O and T for the Central Plant Controller.
ARERA 540/2021/R/eel (30 November 2021) — Governs data exchange between TSO, DSO and Significant Grid User (SGU): generation ≥ 1 MW in MV and withdrawals ≥ 10 MW on the transmission network. Official ARERA text
ARERA 730/2022/R/eel (27 December 2022) — Amends the CCI installation timelines set out in 540/2021. Official ARERA text
ARERA 385/2025/R/eel (8 August 2025) — Extends the CCI installation obligations and PF2 functionality to plants ≥ 100 kW, with financial contributions for upgrading existing plants. ARERA fact sheet · PDF
Observability and controllability
Under resolutions 540/2021 and 730/2022, generation plants ≥ 1 MW must install a CCI compliant with CEI 0-16. Resolution 385/2025 extends the obligation to plants ≥ 100 kW (new and existing) and provides contributions for upgrading intermediate sizes.
PF2 functionality — active power limitation on DSO command
New plants ≥ 100 kWImmediate requirement for a CCI with PF2 active for connection purposes.Existing ≥ 1 MWUpgrade (CCI + PF2) and notification to the DSO by 28/02/2026.Existing ≥ 500 kW and < 1 MWUpgrade by 28/02/2027.Existing ≥ 100 kW and < 500 kWUpgrade by 31/03/2027.
Existing and new plants
The distinction between an existing and a new plant follows the connection request and commissioning (COD) dates indicated in resolution 385/2025/R/eel (and subsequent amendments). Always verify the classification with the relevant distributor before planning the upgrade.
CEI 0-16 Ed. 03/2022CEI EN 61000-4-30 ed. 3 (Class A)CEI EN 61010-1ARERA 540/2021/R/eelARERA 730/2022/R/eelARERA 385/2025/R/eelRSE 12004159EN 62053-22 Class 0.2SEN 62586-1 (PQI-A-FI1-H)IEC 60870-5-104IEC 61850
The regulatory references indicate the product's compliance; specific deadlines and obligations for the individual plant must always be verified with the relevant distributor and against the official ARERA text.
Contributions for upgrading
Resolution ARERA 385/2025/R/eel provides a flat-rate contribution for upgrading existing plants. The amounts decrease over time: the sooner the upgrade is completed, the higher the contribution granted.
Contributions — existing plants
Power range
Maximum contribution
Decreasing amounts
≥ 500 kW and < 1 MW
€ 10,000 by 28/02/2026
€ 7,500 by 30/06/2026 · € 5,000 by 31/10/2026 · € 2,500 by 28/02/2027
≥ 100 kW and < 500 kW
€ 7,500 by 31/03/2026
€ 5,625 by 31/07/2026 · € 3,750 by 30/11/2026 · € 1,875 by 31/03/2027
No contribution for plants ≥ 1 MW.
No contribution for new plants.
Amounts, requirements and deadlines according to resolution ARERA 385/2025/R/eel — verify applicability with the relevant distributor.
SunGuard Energy supports the supply, installation and commissioning of the CCI within the timeframes needed to maximize the contribution due.
General features
The CCI SunGuard Energy combines a Central Plant Controller and PowerMeter; the Power Quality function is available as an option. It applies to any medium-voltage electrical system configuration.
Functions
Central Plant Controller (CCI) + PowerMeter
Optional Power Quality (power quality analysis)
Compliance
CEI 0-16 Annexes O / T
ARERA 540/2021/R/eel · ARERA 385/2025/R/eel
RSE 12004159
CEI EN 61000-4-30 ed. 3 — Class A
Measurements at the Delivery Point (PdC)
Voltages and currents (V/I), P/Q/S power, 4-quadrant energy, power factor, frequency
Optional: flicker, harmonics and other quality quantities
Generator status (DG); optional Modbus TCP for generator active power / DDG status
Accuracy
Class A according to CEI EN 61000-4-30 Ed. 3
Energy: EN 62053-22 Class 0.2S
Integrated resources
4 voltmetric channels 0–600 Vac/dc
3 amperometric channels 0–10 Aac
3 transducer inputs 0–3 Vac/dc
32 GB memory · USB host + micro device
3 Ethernet 100Base-T ports · GPS port
12 digital inputs · 4 analog outputs 0/4–20 mA
Auxiliary power supply 80–260 Vac/dc · UPS > 30′
LCD display with keys and LEDs · optional modem
Weight 3.2 kg
Technical specifications
Summary sheet of the CCI SunGuard Energy. Typical product values; the final configuration may vary depending on options (Power Quality, modem, GPS receiver).
Power supply
Parameter
Value
Auxiliary power supply
80–260 Vac/dc
UPS autonomy
> 30 minutes
Voltage inputs
Parameter
Value
Channels
4
Measuring range
0–600 Vac/dc
Current inputs
Parameter
Value
Channels
3
Measuring range
0–10 Aac
Transducer inputs
Parameter
Value
Channels
3
Measuring range
0–3 Vac/dc
Measurement technique
Parameter
Value
Power quality
CEI EN 61000-4-30 ed. 3 — Class A
Quantities at the PoC
V, I, P, Q, S, 4Q energy, PF, frequency; opt. flicker/harmonics
Generator status
DG monitoring; optional Modbus TCP (active power / DDG status)
Accuracy
Parameter
Value
Power Quality
Class A — CEI EN 61000-4-30 Ed. 3
Active energy
EN 62053-22 Class 0.2S
Digital inputs
Parameter
Value
Number
12 digital inputs
Analog outputs
Parameter
Value
Number
4
Signal
0/4–20 mA
Operator interface
Parameter
Value
Display
LCD with keys and status LEDs
Ethernet / USB
Parameter
Value
Ethernet
3× 100Base-T
USB
Host + micro device
Memory
32 GB
Typical protocols
IEC 60870-5-104 · IEC 61850 · Modbus TCP (opt.)
Clock
Parameter
Value
Synchronization
Dedicated GPS port (optional receiver)
Safety
Parameter
Value
Safety standard
CEI EN 61010-1
CCI compliance
CEI 0-16 Annexes O/T · RSE 12004159
EMC
Parameter
Value
Electromagnetic compatibility
Compliant with the applicable requirements for Class A measuring equipment (CEI EN 61000-4-30)
Environmental
Parameter
Value
Weight
3.2 kg
Application
Any MV electrical system configuration
Optional modem
Parameter
Value
Modem
Available as an option for remote connectivity
Optional GPS receiver
Parameter
Value
GPS receiver
Optional, connectable to the dedicated GPS port
Wiring diagram
How it integrates into the infrastructure.
Measurement and communicationSunGuard Energy control and monitoring
The service
A single point of contact, from supply to oversight.
SunGuard manages the entire CCI lifecycle: supply of the certified device, installation and commissioning, native integration into the SGE platform, continuous operation checks and updates for regulatory changes. Status, dispatching events and plant responses remain visible in real time and feed into the periodic reports.
Certified supply
We select and supply CEI 0-16 certified CCI devices, in compliance with TERNA requirements and the regulatory regime applicable to the plant.
Installation and commissioning
The technical team handles the entire deployment process: from planning to configuration, through to functional field testing.
Integration and monitoring
The CCI is a node of the SGE platform: status, dispatching events and plant responses visible in real time and included in the reports.
Class A network analyzer
The CCI SunGuard integrates a Class A certified power quality analyzer. No separate meter is needed: lower installation cost, maximum accuracy from day one.
Heterogeneous plants
The SGE datalogger unifies the inverter fleet towards the CCI.
Multi-brand
A single interface, whatever the fleet.
In a real plant, inverters come from different brands and generations: different protocols, proprietary adapters, complexity that would fall on the CCI. With the SGE datalogger, the CCI talks to a single standardized interface. SunGuard translates commands and telemetry to each inverter — regardless of brand — and returns consolidated data.
Setpoint
Power curtailment, coordinated across the entire fleet.
When the CCI sends a curtailment command, the datalogger converts it and distributes it in a coordinated way to all the inverters, whatever protocol each one uses.
Data
Consolidated measurements, without breaking the monitoring.
The datalogger returns consistent measurements to the CCI: a single view of the plant. The dispatching ordered by the DSO enters the platform's information base — unproduced energy, impact on KPIs, deviation from the plan — and enriches reporting and operational analysis.
Next steps
Compliance assessment and certified supply.
The CCI SunGuard Energy is Class A and compliant with the CEI/ARERA framework. SunGuard manages supply, installation, platform integration and continuous operation checks.
