Photovoltaic mounting systems in 2025: the current market, innovation and the importance of quality

The mounting systems market is changing fast. Here is what you need to know, and how SigueSol stays one step ahead.

As large-scale solar accelerates across Europe, requirements are rising. Larger modules, more extreme weather, cost pressure, higher performance expectations: choosing the right partner is no longer just a technical question, it is a genuine strategic issue.

To better understand the dynamics of the sector, we spoke to Angelo Nogara, Country Manager Italy at SigueSol, who shares his view of the market and of the developments reshaping the industry today.

A market under strain, between strong demand and uneven quality

The European solar market is enjoying sustained growth, particularly in very dynamic markets such as Italy. This acceleration inevitably drives up demand for mounting structures, sometimes beyond available supply capacity.

At the same time, new manufacturers are entering the market. Their arrival increases available volumes, but it also raises a major question: that of consistent quality.

As Angelo Nogara points out:

This observation is all the more important given that mounting systems now account for a significant share of the total cost of large ground-mounted plants, up to 25% of CAPEX. With rising steel and aluminium prices, stricter load standards and changing module designs, this share remains a major economic lever. In other words, choosing a high-performance structure has a direct impact on the overall profitability of the project.

Larger modules, greater stresses

The photovoltaic sector is entering a new phase. Modules are becoming larger, heavier and more demanding to integrate. At the same time, extreme weather events (high winds, heatwaves, more frequent storms) are putting structures under greater pressure. In response, the strongest manufacturers have upgraded their solutions: reinforced structural designs, better corrosion protection, updated load calculations and optimised long-term performance.

However, not every player applies the same standards.

“Some companies continue to prioritise a price-driven strategy at the expense of structural resilience,” warns Angelo Nogara. “The limitations of these choices often become apparent as soon as the installations are exposed to extreme weather conditions.”

In this context, quality is no longer a “nice to have”: it has become an essential condition for securing the service life of assets and protecting investments.

Innovation is transforming structures and their uses

Innovation in mounting systems is not just about materials or mechanical strength. It also concerns the way projects are designed and how new uses are supported.

On the structural side, the market is moving towards solutions that are more robust, lighter and quicker to install. Modular designs are gaining ground because they simplify on-site deployment and respond better to site constraints. Agrivoltaics is a perfect illustration of this trend. These projects require specific structures, with elevated systems, suitable spacing and configurations compatible with farming activity. In this field, SigueSol has developed practical expertise, built on field experience and a detailed understanding of the real needs of farmers and developers.

At the same time, digitalisation is also accelerating. Smart monitoring platforms, predictive maintenance and automated safety functions, such as weather-dependent stow strategies, are making installations more resilient and easier to manage at scale.

Solar carports are also emerging as a solution with strong potential. They make use of existing surfaces, avoid further land take and fit perfectly with companies’ ESG objectives. Combined with EV charging, battery storage and smart energy management, they become a genuine tool for transforming commercial, industrial and logistics sites.

The true cost of a system is not measured by its purchase price alone

In recent years, several Asian manufacturers have established themselves on the European market with highly competitive offers. Some have managed to improve and adapt; others have disappeared as quickly as they arrived. In the field, experience now makes it easier to tell lasting solutions apart from offers that are merely attractive in the short term.

According to Angelo Nogara, the pain points are often the same: inadequate customer service, limited understanding of local constraints, insufficient technical support and inconsistent product quality.

“Several customers have expressed their dissatisfaction: poor customer service, a lack of understanding of local requirements and substandard quality,” he explains. “Customers who focus solely on price often end up with a higher overall cost over the system’s lifetime.”

From a long-term investment perspective, the right indicator is therefore not the immediate purchase cost, but the total cost of ownership, reliability of execution and the partner’s ability to support the project at every stage.

SigueSol’s response: performance, flexibility and a long-term vision

In an environment more demanding than ever, SigueSol relies on a clear approach: innovation, quality and flexibility. The company supports a wide variety of projects, including complex sites, difficult terrain and bespoke structures for transport hubs and bus depots. Each solution is designed to deliver maximum structural strength, reliable execution and durability matched to long-term challenges.

The offering also continues to grow. EnerGround, our ground-mounted structures, EnerTrack, our trackers, and our agrivoltaic solutions are based on technology proven for more than ten years. At the same time, SigueSol also caters for smaller projects, which the market often serves less well, with modular turnkey solutions such as OneMega and EnergyHub. These offerings integrate photovoltaics, battery storage, EV charging and smart energy management in a simplified, coherent and user-oriented approach.

With Made in Italy production and a network of carefully selected European partners, SigueSol offers tailored support, from simple supply to complete turnkey solutions. For projects from 100 kW up to industrial scale, the ambition remains the same: to provide reliable, high-performance structures designed to last.

What lies ahead?

“The market is moving towards greater specialisation and data-driven performance,” explains Angelo Nogara. “In the agrivoltaic sector, we anticipate major innovations in monitoring and control. Quality, local support and performance throughout the entire lifecycle will increasingly influence purchasing decisions.”

In a market where speed, trust and clarity matter more than ever, only suppliers that combine genuine technical expertise with responsive local support will establish themselves for the long term.