Intersolar Europe 2025: A Global Nexus for Solar InnovationFrom May 7 to 9, 2025, the Intersolar Europe trade fair in Munich convened more than 2,700 exhibitors and over 107,000 visitors, becoming a hub for showcasing pioneering solar technologies. Among the standout presentations, Solar Steel, a Spanish company with a robust industrial heritage within Gonvarri Industries, introduced its fifth-generation 1P solar tracker. This launch reaffirmed Solar Steel’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and meeting evolving market demands across Europe and beyond.

Advancing Structural Efficiency and Terrain AdaptationSolar Steel’s new 1P tracker incorporates substantial engineering advancements, particularly in its ability to adapt to complex and varied terrain, a crucial factor given Europe’s limited availability of ideal solar land. The tracker’s rotation angle has increased from previous versions to an impressive 60°, allowing solar panels to capture sunlight more effectively throughout the day. This improvement enhances energy yield by maximizing sun exposure during mornings and evenings when solar angles are lower. The system also boasts enhanced robustness, designed to withstand local weather extremes including wind and snow loads.

Streamlining Installation: Pre-Assembly and Reduced ComponentsOne of the core challenges in solar tracker deployment lies in reducing onsite assembly time and minimizing errors that can delay projects. Solar Steel tackled this by optimizing pre-assembly processes, delivering parts that arrive partially built and easier to install. The design reduces the total number of components and interfaces, simplifying logistics and assembly workflows. This not only shortens installation schedules but also lowers labor costs, a critical factor given increasing wage pressures across Europe. Micó explained that this innovation helps clients achieve faster grid connections and more rapid project completion, significantly improving financial returns.

Reducing CAPEX and OPEX through InnovationFernando Micó highlighted the dual benefits of lower capital expenditures and operational expenditures from the new tracker design. Structural improvements have lowered material use without compromising durability, reducing raw material and transportation costs. In operation, the tracker’s reliability and precision minimize maintenance needs and downtime, cutting operational expenses. These efficiencies translate into better overall project economics, making solar projects more attractive to investors and developers in a competitive renewable energy landscape.

Customized Solutions for Diverse European MarketsSolar Steel’s success stems from its customer-centric approach, tailoring tracker configurations to fit local terrain, regulatory conditions, and customer requirements. Juan Manuel Vizcaíno explained that the company provides ad hoc solutions for a wide range of markets, from flat terrains in Spain and Portugal to the hilly landscapes of Italy and Bulgaria. This flexibility supports the firm’s expansion across several European countries, including Romania, Croatia, Poland, and Hungary, where demand for solar energy continues to grow amid varied geographic and regulatory environments.

The 2P Tracker: Precision Engineering for Complex SitesComplementing the 1P model, Solar Steel also promoted its 2P tracker, a shorter, dual-row design optimized for intricate terrain and areas with constraints such as archaeological sites. The 2P tracker offers greater precision in installation and alignment, making it suitable for projects where topographical and regulatory challenges demand exacting standards. This product diversification enables Solar Steel to meet broader market needs and expand into niches where specialized solutions are essential.

Agrivoltaics: Synergizing Solar Energy & AgricultureA significant trend in Europe is agrivoltaics, where solar panels coexist with agricultural activities to maximize land use and economic output. Both 1P and 2P trackers are designed with sufficient ground clearance, allowing livestock or farm machinery to move between rows freely. Italy leads this movement with regulatory mandates encouraging agrivoltaic installations. France is also heavily investing in agrivoltaics through programs like AgriPV by Solar Steel. The company views Spain’s potential agrivoltaic market as dependent on new, structured agricultural incentives integrated with energy policies, which could unlock new revenue streams and increase soil productivity.

Spain’s Solar Market: Navigating Regulatory Hurdles & Future GrowthDespite strong technological offerings, Solar Steel acknowledges challenges in Spain’s solar market, especially the absence of clear regulations on energy storage integration. Fernando Micó stressed that without efficient storage solutions tied to the grid, photovoltaic growth may stall as penetration increases. Juan Manuel Vizcaíno added that stimulating demand during periods of peak renewable production through market signals and smart consumption mechanisms is critical. These measures would move the market beyond auction-dependent growth and foster sustainable expansion in Spain’s renewable sector.

Ongoing Innovation & a Long-Term VisionLooking forward, Solar Steel intends to maintain its leadership by investing in flexible, resilient, and easy-to-install solutions adapted to evolving regulatory frameworks across Europe. Innovation remains grounded in client feedback and real-world challenges. With over 24 GW supplied in 45 countries since 2005, Solar Steel benefits from a strong industrial base and extensive experience, positioning it well to lead the continent’s transition to cleaner energy.

Key Takeaways

• Solar Steel’s fifth-generation 1P solar tracker delivers enhanced 60° rotation, superior terrain adaptability, and pre-assembly innovations that reduce installation time and labor costs.

• The company offers tailored solar tracking solutions across Europe, supporting growth in diverse markets and leading agrivoltaic integration in Italy and France.

• Spain’s solar expansion depends on regulatory clarity around energy storage and mechanisms to stimulate demand during peak renewable production periods.