Italy’s 2026 budget law is set to reshape the country’s solar energy landscape by restricting new fiscal incentives to specific high-performance technologies. The legislation favors European-manufactured HJT bifacial panels and tandem perovskite modules, effectively excluding more common technologies like TOPCon. This move provides a strategic advantage to established European producers but also brings to light the significant hurdles, from regulatory inconsistencies to durability concerns, that perovskite-based solar modules must overcome to achieve widespread commercial viability. The policy has sparked debate over its impact on market competition and long-term investment.
A new clean energy policy outlined in Italy’s 2026 budget law is poised to significantly influence photovoltaic investments by adjusting the “Iperammortamento” fiscal incentive. The revised law narrows the scope of eligibility to two specific categories: high-efficiency HJT bifacial solar panels made in Europe with a cell efficiency exceeding 24%, and emerging tandem perovskite modules. This legislative shift notably omits mainstream technologies such as TOPCon and BC, directing market focus and financial support toward a select group of advanced PV products. Industry analysis suggests this gives a clear strategic advantage to companies like 3Sun, one of the few large-scale European producers of qualifying HJT panels.
While the inclusion of tandem perovskite-silicon modules in the incentive scheme is forward-looking, the technology’s market readiness remains a major question. These modules have demonstrated remarkable efficiency in laboratory settings but have yet to be produced at a commercial scale, largely remaining in pilot and demonstration phases. Laura Sartore, vice president of the European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC), highlighted regulatory ambiguities that could hinder their adoption. A key issue is the law’s focus on cell efficiency rather than the more practical measure of module efficiency, which is often 15-20% lower due to cell-to-module (CTM) losses during manufacturing.
Beyond regulatory hurdles, Sartore pointed to persistent technical challenges facing both HJT and perovskite tandem technologies. Both can suffer from performance degradation in environmental conditions of high humidity, heat, or intense ultraviolet radiation, raising concerns about their long-term durability across Europe’s varied climates. Furthermore, their typical glass-glass construction results in a heavier solar module, which poses installation challenges on rooftops with limited load-bearing capacity. These factors are critical considerations for manufacturers aiming to commercialize these advanced technologies for widespread deployment.
The new regulation also raises questions about the influence of supply chain politics. The ENEA module register, which is used to determine eligibility for incentives, has historically created special classifications for 3Sun and Meyer Burger, the two primary European manufacturers focusing on HJT cells. This context suggests significant barriers to entry for newcomers, particularly those developing innovative perovskite tandem production lines within Europe. While the law may stimulate investment to accelerate the commercialization of perovskite technology, last-minute amendments have also introduced considerable uncertainty, complicating long-term supply chain and investment decisions for the entire industry.