Agrivoltaics 2026: Steel Structures Powering the EU Green Deal
How agrivoltaic systems combine agriculture and solar energy. Steel mounting requirements, EU subsidies, and the Magnelis ZM310 advantage.
Editorial author: Steel-Hub.eu
Published:
Updated:
TL;DR
- ▸Agrivoltaics puts solar generation and crop cultivation on the same hectare: steel structures lift the panels high enough for sunlight, rain and machinery to pass beneath.
- ▸Typical elevated designs work with 4-5 m clearance, which is what turns the substructure from a rack into a load-bearing building.
- ▸Specification that survives 25 years unattended: Magnelis ZM310 zinc-magnesium coating, S355 J2 structural steel, EN 1090 EXC3 execution, with ISO 1461 hot-dip galvanizing as the alternative.
- ▸Demand is policy-driven - EU Green Deal and REPowerEU targets - and concentrated in Italy, Spain, France and Germany.
What Are Agrivoltaics?
Agrivoltaics (or Agri-PV) is the dual-use of agricultural land for both crop cultivation and solar energy generation. Steel mounting structures elevate solar panels above crops, allowing sunlight, rain, and machinery to pass beneath.
The EU Green Deal and REPowerEU targets drive massive demand for agrivoltaic installations, particularly in Italy, Spain, France, and Germany — creating a multi-billion euro market for steel substructures.
Agrivoltaic Cross-Section
- A
- PV modules on an inclined support plane.
- B
- Steel beam and posts with foundations.
- C
- Cultivated ground below the array.
- h
- Clear height below the lowest beam edge.
- b
- Clear width between the inner post faces.
Steel Requirements
Advanced zinc-magnesium coating for 25+ year corrosion resistance without maintenance.
High-strength structural steel for minimal material usage and maximum static performance.
Full execution class certification for public infrastructure projects.
ISO 1461 galvanizing available as alternative for extreme coastal environments.
EU Subsidy Landscape
Multiple EU member states offer targeted subsidies for agrivoltaic installations, recognizing their dual benefit for food security and energy independence.
| Country | Program | Incentive |
|---|---|---|
| 🇩🇪 Germany | EEG 2023 Agri-PV Bonus | +1.2 ct/kWh feed-in tariff |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | PNRR Agrivoltaico | €750M dedicated fund |
| 🇫🇷 France | CRE Agri-PV Tender | Priority grid connection |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | PERTE ERHA | Tax credits + accelerated permits |
Agrivoltaic structure FAQ
What clearance does agrivoltaic steel need?
Elevated systems typically work with 4-5 m clearance so that agricultural machinery can pass beneath and crops still receive sunlight and rain. That height is what separates agri-PV from a ground mount: the structure carries wind and snow at a lever arm, which is why it is engineered like a building rather than a rack.
Why Magnelis ZM310 instead of plain galvanizing?
The zinc-magnesium coating is specified for 25-plus years of corrosion resistance without maintenance, including self-healing at cut edges - which matters on a structure standing in an agricultural environment where ammonia and fertiliser exposure are routine. ISO 1461 hot-dip galvanizing remains available as the alternative where the corrosion category allows it.
Does agrivoltaic steel need EN 1090 EXC3?
Elevated agri-PV is treated as public infrastructure in practice, and full execution class certification is specified for those projects. In DACH terms this puts it in the same documentation regime as a hall or a tower rather than a light ground mount.
Which markets are actually building this?
Demand follows policy: the EU Green Deal and REPowerEU targets drive the volume, and installation is concentrated in Italy, Spain, France and Germany. That is also where agri-PV specific support schemes make the dual-use economics work.