The European solar market is undergoing a transformation, with agrivoltaics emerging as a key solution for combining energy production with agricultural use.

The growing adoption of this technology in countries such as Italy, France, and Spain is driving a shift in solar structures, demanding more flexible designs adapted to agricultural land.

During the Storage and Renewable Leadership Forum , organized by Strategic Energy Corp, Ana Díaz Rego, BDM Europe of Gonvarri Solar Steel explained how the company is responding to this challenge with innovative structural solutions and a diversification strategy that encompasses different markets and technologies.

This virtual double event was the first of the year, organized by Strategic Energy Corp., a company that is part of Future Energy Summit (FES) , a leader in the production of renewable energy meetings in Latin America, where the main companies in the sector at the global and regional level participate in forums that prioritize debate and networking for progress towards an energy transition.

It is worth noting that on June 24, at Colegio Caminos (Auditorio Betancourt, C. de Almagro, 42, Chamberí) in Madrid, the third edition of FES Iberia 2025 will take place ( relive the previous edition ), with the participation of companies such as Iberdrola, Nextracker, Engie, Grenergy, Statkraft, Acciona Energía, Red Eléctrica, EDP Renewables, as well as prominent representatives from the Autonomous Communities and Latin America, where key topics such as solar and wind energy, storage, green hydrogen, distributed generation, PPAs, tenders and new projects are discussed.

Agrivoltaics: a growing trend in Europe

Structural flexibility is one of the key aspects for the success of agrivoltaics, given that these types of projects must allow for the coexistence of energy production and agricultural activity.

According to Díaz Rego, Gonvarri has developed a multi-product offering that includes trackers and fixed structures adaptable to different types of crops and terrain.

“Each market has specific needs, and it’s essential to offer solutions that meet those conditions,” he explained. In this regard, the company has worked to optimize its products to ensure durability, ease of installation, and competitive costs.

One of the most significant challenges to expanding this model is the regulatory gap between countries. In some European markets, regulations on the use of agricultural land for solar generation are still under development or are restrictive.

“Italy has been a key country for the development of agrivoltaics, while in other markets such as France and Spain, regulations are being adjusted to allow for controlled growth,” said Díaz Rego.

The executive emphasized that Gonvarri is attentive to these changes and adapts its structural solutions to meet the specific requirements of each country.

Structural efficiency and cost optimization

Another concern for the sector is the competitiveness of European industry through efficiency and cost optimization.

In this regard, Díaz Rego emphasized that supply chain efficiency and the ability to adapt to local regulations are key.

“We are a Spanish company, but we have a global supply chain that allows us to offer competitive prices and optimized delivery times,” he stated.

With a presence in Europe, Asia, South Africa, North America and Central America , Gonvarri has developed a production network that allows it to guarantee stability in a highly volatile environment.

In addition to agrivoltaics, diversifying the company’s product portfolio is another of its key strategies.

Gonvarri not only specializes in trackers and fixed structures for utility scale , but has also expanded its presence in the commercial and industrial segment with solutions for solar roofs and canopies.

“We have the capacity to adapt to any type of project, from 3 MW facilities to 300 MW farms, as well as to any territory and climate,” the executive said.

Impact of global policies: China and the US reshape the solar market

Finally, the current situation of the European solar market was discussed, which is influenced not only by internal trends but also by the trade policies of major powers such as the United States and China .

In recent months, restrictions imposed by the U.S. government on the import of solar modules from Asia have had a domino effect on the global market.

This has led Chinese manufacturers to shift their production to Europe, creating increased pressure on prices and competition between local and Asian companies.

Díaz Rego noted that this situation is impacting the solar structure industry, as developers are prioritizing more cost-competitive solutions to offset fluctuations in module prices.

“The market is at a turning point. The massive influx of Chinese modules into Europe is changing pricing dynamics and the way projects are structured,” he said.

Meanwhile, China continues to increase its steel and solar module production capacity , posing a challenge for European manufacturers.

While Chinese companies can benefit from economies of scale and government subsidies, European companies must focus on innovation and cost optimization to remain competitive.

“It’s crucial that we in Europe develop policies that encourage local production of key components. We can’t rely solely on Asian suppliers,” warned the Gonvarri executive.