Importantly, the Energy Transition Expo held last week in Rimini, Italy, recorded a 10% increase in total visitors and a 9% increase in foreign visitors, according to organizers.
“With 160 high-quality and rigorously scientific conferences, Key 2026 confirmed its status as one of Europe’s most important energy events, standing out for the comprehensiveness of the exhibition and content,” said the event’s organizer, Italian Exhibition Group (IEG).
According to the organization, 530 buyers and delegations from 59 countries attended the conference, spread over 125,000 m² of exhibition space and 24 halls. The 2026 edition featured 1,065 exhibiting brands, approximately 30% of which were international. Geographically, the event focused on Italy, Central Europe, the Mediterranean and Africa.
“Italy wants to be a bridge between Africa and the Mediterranean, which is why we are receiving delegations from Morocco, Tunisia, South Africa and other African countries,” said Alessandra Astolfi, Global Exhibition Director of IEG’s Green and Technology Department.
The event covered seven integrated sectors of the energy system: solar energy, energy storage, wind energy, energy efficiency, hydrogen, electric mobility and sustainable cities. Agrivoltaic solutions and business models attracted a lot of interest.
In the face of unexpected regulatory changes, the event highlighted the resilience of the Italian photovoltaic sector and the growing role of consultancy firms and service providers. Experts discussed the Decreto Bollette, aimed at reducing electricity bills for consumers and reimbursing gas-fired power producers for gas transmission tariffs and the costs of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), to the detriment of the renewable energy and storage sectors.
In a brief conversation with pv magazine, Italian Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin said that coal is a strategic resource for Italy, and that gas “will continue to accompany us for 30 to 40 years, because it guarantees the continuity of the system.” Pichetto Fratin also said solar power plants in Italy do not need subsidies, arguing that power purchase agreements (PPA) will be essential to cap energy prices in the next decade. He added that current geopolitical tensions could encourage the European Commission to step up cooperation, especially in the areas of gas storage and supporting a European supply chain for modules and batteries.
The strong attendance at the fair reflects the rapid growth of the Italian solar industry across all segments, despite new regulatory challenges.
A notable trend is emerging in the commercial and industrial (C&I) sector, where large rooftop PV projects are increasingly accompanied by storage systems. Batteries are becoming important assets for small and medium-sized businesses that want to reduce energy costs.
Agrivoltaic energy remains one of the most dynamic segments. The sector is expanding through specific tenders and the Fer X support scheme.
At a conference led by pv magazineDevelopers, operators and manufacturers of trackers and mounting systems said they expect standardization of agrivoltaic solutions and products over the next four to five years. Data from agricultural voltaics projects will help operators understand how to select products, leading to more standardized mounting systems and technical guidelines by 2030-32.
In the meantime, technological development is progressing through pilot projects, experiments and closer integration between technical and agronomic expertise.
A recurring message was that agrivoltaic design must start with the needs of crops. Unlike conventional solar farms, agrivoltaic systems cannot be designed solely around energy production.
Valerio Natalizia, CEO of ECO The Photovoltaic Group, explained that his company manages projects across the entire value chain – from technical and electrical design to permitting – to reduce complications that often arise when multiple actors handle individual phases. Designing the project from the beginning avoids many potential problems during construction.
The business model also includes joint ventures with farmers and agronomists. Agrivoltaic systems are developed around specific crops such as kiwis and cherries, while a third partner can handle the distribution of agricultural products. The aim is to create an integrated economic model that can benefit from economies of scale as installed capacity increases.
The company plans to invest approximately €40 million ($46.2 million) in the development of several megawatts of agrivoltaic capacity over the next three to five years.
Natalizia also cited a 120 kW pilot project in Castel Bolognese, developed on a farm already experienced in protected cultivation. In this case, photovoltaic integration was treated as a natural extension of the agricultural system, intended to protect crops. Even tracker settings – such as seasonal tilt adjustments – were defined based on agronomic priorities. The crop remained the leading element of the entire design process.
Although integrated design reduces problems early on, many challenges arise during operation. Operation and maintenance (O&M) were central, with a focus on ensuring that agricultural and electricity activities did not interfere with each other.
Agricultural voltaics require balancing two operational cycles: agriculture and power plant maintenance. Electrical maintenance must not damage crops, trees or soil, while agricultural work must not compromise system integrity.
Safety is a major concern, especially when farm workers are working in the area of the solar installation. Giuseppe De Benedictis, country manager of Goldbeck Solar, described an approach that allows the system to be completely de-energized when farmers enter operational zones. In the future, such processes could be automated to further reduce electrical risks.
Automation, artificial intelligence and robotics can also help monitor crop growth, manage cultivation and support harvesting. Digitalization is an important tool for integrated energy and agricultural management.
Another conclusion was that there is no universal agrivoltaic solution. Technology choices depend on the type of crop, agricultural machinery, exposure to wind and hail, terrain, available space and even animal behavior.
Vertical systems, for example, can preserve up to 99% of land for agriculture, according to Sascha Krause-Tünker, CFO of Next2Sun. They can also produce more electricity in the morning and evening hours, but suitability depends on crop type and location.
Likewise, trackers introduce additional complexity. Alejandro Cardona, director at Soltec, noted that transportable systems – typically evaluated for energy optimization – can also perform agronomic functions. By adjusting the orientation of the modules, trackers monitor the amount of solar radiation reaching crops and can protect them from hail or heavy rain.
Because the agrivoltaic sector is still a young sector, many problems only come to light during implementation. Examples include soil compaction during construction, interference with agricultural machinery, insufficient room to maneuver, animal interaction with structures, rodents damaging cables, and long-term effects of fertilizers or chemicals on electrical components.
Rodent damage to cables was solved by using bite-resistant cables. Small adjustments to the layout – such as slightly reducing the space between rows – can also complicate daily agricultural operations.
This reflects the early years of conventional solar energy, when many technical challenges were gradually discovered and addressed.
The discussion emphasized the importance of collaboration. O&M, sustainability, crop protection, module development and agronomic integration cannot be solved by a single actor.
Progress requires pilot projects, systematic data collection, knowledge sharing and stronger collaboration between developers, technology providers, agronomists and industry associations.
Even for modules, there is still no special ‘agrivoltaic module’. Future products may come to market with improved durability, protective features, or a different balance between light transmission and power. For the time being, the sector is mainly making progress by adapting existing photovoltaic technologies.
Ultimately, the success of the agrivoltaic sector depends on proving that agriculture can function productively within these systems. The future of the sector does not depend solely on structural design or energy performance, but on achieving a mature balance between energy generation, agronomy, safety, maintenance and local adaptation.
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