In collaboration with Lifonti & Company – a communications agency with fifteen years of experience in analyzing and communicating the manufacturing, technology, and renewable energy sectors.

One of the fastest-growing sectors in our country is undoubtedly renewable energy, and photovoltaic in particular. In this chat with Alberto Zulati, Technical Director of Teknomega, we delve into the data that demonstrates this growth and the role of fastening solutions in supporting the development of domestic photovoltaics in our country.

In Italy and Europe, photovoltaics has now entered a phase of maturity, following several years of very rapid growth.

The numbers confirm the sector's solidity, but show a change of pace. In the first seven months of 2025, according to the data processed by ITALIA SOLARE based on Gaudì – TernaItaly has surpassed 40,4 GW of installed capacity and 2 million systems. Residential installations are slowing (a third fewer installations than in 2024), while large parks and commercial installations are growing. On the price front, the pvXchange index recorded a record 43,5% drop in 2024, but 2025 has seen a gradual recovery, leading to a current price of approximately €0,12 per watt peak (€/Wp) for high-efficiency photovoltaic modules, approximately €0,13/Wp for fully black photovoltaic modules, and approximately €0,10/Wp for mainstream photovoltaic panels. All figures are down compared to the middle months of the current year.

But what do we owe this growth and this drop in prices to?

"The key factor for the growth of photovoltaics in Italy, especially in the domestic segment, was undoubtedly the 110% Superbonus,” He tells us Alberto Zulati, Technical Director of TeknomegaDespite some procedural hiccups that hit the headlines, it effectively made photovoltaic investments accessible to hundreds of thousands of families. This exponential growth then led, once the bonus was drastically reduced, to overproduction and thus to supply exceeding demand, resulting in a consequent reduction in prices. Over the last two years we have witnessed a rebalancing of the market: residential has decreased, while ground-mounted systems and commercial or industrial ones, the so-called C&I, have strengthened.”

Safety and performance: the technical crux of fastening systems

Teknomega observes and supports this growth through one of its core businesses: “Fastening systems are fundamental elements for the safety of photovoltaic systems”, explains Zulati. “They are the connecting element between the panel and the supporting structure, whether it is a building or a ground structure. For correct sizing, it is not enough to design and test the individual components, but it is necessary to treat each system as a small engineering project”.

An approach that requires the ability to apply one's skills to a very wide range of different situations: "Each project requires verification that the wind and snow loads acting on that specific system are compatible with the chosen system and, increasingly, also with the selected panel. In this regard, Zulati He cites the 2018 Technical Construction Standards, "a document from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport that contains instructions for defining snow and wind loads." An update is underway, but "it will take some time before it's published: for now, our job is to apply the standards," he continues. Zulati.

Loads vary depending on many parameters: geographic location, building height, panel size. They must therefore be defined on a case-by-case basis. "The size of the modules has also grown significantly," he adds. Zulati, "and this makes it even more important to check suppliers' assembly instructions. Some also specify the material and dimensions of the clamps, but all provide maximum load values ​​based on the application point. This can also lead to suggested modifications to the assumed configuration: for example, if the customer planned to attach the panel on the short side but the permissible loads are incompatible, the assembly scheme must be changed."

Then there is an essential technical reference: the CEI 82-74 document, which Teknomega uses as a standard for checking the balance of the system: “It is used to ensure that the panel does not move”, explains Zulati. “Theoretically, it can lift, slide on the surface, or tip over. An incorrectly sized fastening system can result in panels that are no longer secured to the structure: not only does this compromise the system's performance, but it also creates real risks to property and people.”

With the aim of offering an additional level of assurance to customers, “Teknomega is also able to issue third-party certifications that they act as an additional guarantee and protection for the client".

From theory to practice: roofs, materials, and custom design

Every roof tells a different story, but the design approach remains the same: "We calculate the loads and verify compatibility with the proposed fastening system. What changes are the components we use, the choice of which depends on the physical characteristics of the roofs and the environmental circumstances."

He tells us Zulati"In the case of pitched roofs, typical of residential buildings, dedicated brackets are used which allow the tiles to be climbed over without damaging them and to be fixed to the underlying structure without damaging it.On flat roofs, however, ballasted solutions are preferred because, for waterproofing reasons, they avoid perforating the structure. The way to keep the panel anchored is to rest ballast on the structure, interposing protective sheaths that protect the building's surface.

In industrial roofing, Teknomega deals with an even wider range of scenarios. Consider, for example, sheet metal roofs: "In these cases," he continues, Zulati, "to anchor the system to the roof, we use self-drilling screws or rivets. These elements are not interchangeable: they have different load-bearing capacities, and the choice of one or the other is up to the designer, after careful consideration."

Teknomega's support, however, goes beyond supply. "We assist designers in choosing the most appropriate fastening system, not only at the macro level—flat or pitched roof—but also in the details. For example, we evaluate the maximum load limitations on the slab or recommend avoiding shaded or turbulent areas, such as the edges of the building. And, of course, we also consider Fire Department requirements regarding distances or the presence of skylights. These are aspects that make the difference."

Zulati then he adds: “In many cases, we can also intervene on existing systems, verifying the system's effectiveness and, for revamping, replacing individual components such as clamps or fastening profiles when necessary.".

Stable standards, faster times: engineering as a competitive lever

If the rules change slowly, the market moves fast. "From a regulatory standpoint," he explains, Zulati. "the situation has remained essentially stable since 2018. This means that today's developments are not driven by regulations, but by market needs. This is why Teknomega has decided to internalize and strengthen the skills needed to offer a comprehensive service to our customers. Our goal is to be a 360° technical partner, capable of responding quickly, reliably and accurately to every project requirement.".

guarding the future, Zulati identifies three clear directions: new materials, faster installations, and an increasing focus on services.

"Today, cost pressure is pushing the sector to seek more efficient solutions. The focus has shifted from panels to fastening systems, and this could push the use of new materials for some components. Already today, solutions with a high aluminum profile content are somewhat penalized, precisely because of costs, and we are studying efficiency solutions to allow us to ensure ever greater competitiveness.

Regarding the speed of installation, Zulati He's certain: "We'll move toward increasingly simpler and quicker-to-assemble systems. And the focus, in my opinion, will shift from components to services: we'll look for a trusted partner to whom we can entrust the entire system definition phase. It's the best solution to allow the customer to 'sleep soundly,' as we say at Teknomega."

One final point, which has so far remained in the background, is crucial for those working in cities like those in Italy, often subject to stringent constraints regarding landscape conservation and architectural integration of these new solutions. From this perspective, the engineer remains cautious: "Today we see interesting and technically advanced solutions integrated into the building, but I believe that for at least the next five years, they will remain niche applications. Replacing the panel and little else in the fastening system remains a long-term advantage over an integrated solution which, by definition, cannot be dismantled."

Zulati closes with a reflection that is almost a technical manifesto: The evolution of technical and design support services represents the new frontier of photovoltaic mounting. As Technical Director, I see it as my mission to spread the culture of applied engineering and design choices, enhancing the quality of solutions and the expertise of professionals. It's a daily commitment, in a field where innovation never stops.