Photovoltaics leading the energy transition
65.5 GW installed in Europe in 2024 according to the 2025 IREX Annual Report
Once again, EF Solare Italia took part in the presentation of the 2025 IREX Annual Report, developed by Althesys. The event, held in Rome on May 14th and attended by key players and stakeholders from the renewables sector, provided a detailed overview of the evolution of renewable energy in Europe, with a focus on Italy, in an international context still marked by geopolitical uncertainty.
The data presented in the report highlights strong growth in the renewables sector: 1,834 initiatives were mapped, marking a 55% increase compared to the previous year, and confirming the positive trend observed in recent years. In this context, photovoltaics stands out as leading technology, with 893 operations accounting for 16.4 GW and €12.2 billion in investment. Agrivoltaics leads in terms of installed capacity, with 22.7 GW across 541 initiatives and €17.3 billion in potential investments.
“The renewable energy sector in Italy is undergoing significant transformation. Many advanced tools for energy price management are or will soon be available, and their integration will drive the true sustainability and integration of renewables into the electricity system, alongside the availability of storage solutions. It is, of course, crucial to complete the regulatory framework – without losing sight of the economic sustainability of these tools – while also factoring in the contribution of renewables to energy independence and ensuring their integration with local territories. On this front, we believe further thought is needed to actively incorporate the most widely accepted forms of renewable development, such as agrivoltaics, into the policies currently being defined. At EF Solare, we also hope that the issue of grid saturation will find a balanced resolution – one that respects the legitimate expectations of sector operators, while also prioritizing low-land-use and fast-track initiatives such as the upgrading of existing plants, thereby accelerating the sector’s decarbonization,” said Andrea Ghiselli, CEO of EF Solare Italia.
In his speech, Ghiselli emphasized not only the technological opportunities but also the need for a clear, stable, and consistent regulatory framework. In particular, EF Solare Italia reaffirmed the importance of measures that support innovative forms of integration between energy production and respect for the territory, such as agrivoltaics.
Indeed, agrivoltaics represents a strategic asset for Italian photovoltaics. EF Solare’s agrivoltaic solutions combine agricultural production with the generation of renewable energy, meeting environmental, economic, and social sustainability goals simultaneously. The plants built over the years, such as those in Calabria, demonstrate how solar energy can coexist with farming activities, creating value for local communities.
Another key point raised was the full utilization and enhancement of existing plants through revamping and repowering operations. These activities help improve plant efficiency and output without consuming new land – delivering clear benefits for the environment and the Country’s energy security.EF Solare also stressed the need to address grid saturation in a balanced way. The energy transition must not be slowed by infrastructure bottlenecks: investments in the electricity grid must move forward in parallel with those in generation capacity.
Overall, the 2025 IREX Annual Report confirmed the increasing centrality of renewable sources – and photovoltaics in particular – in Italy’s decarbonization process. EF Solare Italia will continue working alongside institutions, industry operators, and local communities to accelerate this transformation in line with national and European climate goals.
With more than 300 operational plants and an annual production that meets the energy needs of hundreds of thousands of households, EF Solare is a reference point for sustainable, reliable, and integrated energy development. The transition is already underway: now is the time to consolidate progress and build, together, a better energy future.