The Voice of Torri Solar
Michele Torri, founder and CEO of Torri Solar, tells pv magazine Italia that he supports a “Made in the EU” requirement only under certain conditions. “For us, ‘Made in the EU’ cannot be limited to mere final assembly in Europe: it must signify real industrial value generated locally, with clear criteria regarding the supply chain, traceability, production accountability, and long-term sustainability,” says Torri.
According to the entrepreneur, the Italian supply chain has a “culture of product manufacturing” that is profoundly different from non-EU industrial models. “Italian manufacturing, and in particular that related to engineering and energy products, has historically been oriented toward durability, reliability, and build quality, not toward the logic of minimum cost or rapid replacement,” argues Torri, pointing to the potential environmental, technical, and social costs of products with shorter lifespans.
Torri nevertheless views the “Made in EU” label as an opportunity, especially when clear rules are in place. “Torri positions itself uniquely: not as an alternative to mainstream products simply because it is made in Italy, but as a distinct category that prioritizes mechanical strength, system safety, and long-term performance consistency.”
While the EU’s overall direction is viewed as “generally positive”—a sign of growing awareness of the importance of European manufacturing—the continental regulatory framework is, according to Torri, still lacking in the most crucial area: the promotion of distinctive construction models.
“We need policies that can distinguish between mere production capacity and true industrial value, rewarding those who develop technology with a long-term vision,” said the CEO of the Brescia-based company, proposing several steps toward a European supply chain.
“Public tenders and incentive schemes should incorporate more advanced technical criteria.”
“Public tenders and incentive schemes should incorporate more advanced technical criteria: requirements for durability, fire safety, ease of inspection, long-term reliability, and construction models that reduce the operational risk of the systems,” says Torri, who then calls for structural support for industrial investments focused on patents and product innovation.
Torri states that, by 2026, he aims to consolidate the growth of Italian production, including by introducing the X-Core2 panel to the Italian market. He does not necessarily expect a significant increase in sales volume. Currently, production capacity stands at approximately 80 MW per year.
“To support this initiative, we plan to make targeted investments in production and quality control processes. Specifically, we will introduce an additional electroluminescence system directly during the stringing phase, which will complement the two existing in-line checks, with the aim of eliminating issues related to the silicon circuit and further raising quality standards,” says Torri.
The Brescia-based company reports that it is also planning to introduce an automated edging system. The current and planned investments in production processes are aimed at reducing lead times “and improving operational efficiency.” In terms of technology, Torri reports a focus on silicon technologies that offer “the best guarantees” in the medium to long term.
“We view n-Type as the most robust industrial foundation available today, while solutions like xBC may find a place in segments where quality and efficiency are truly valued. Perovskite is an area of great technological interest, but before it becomes significant, it will need to demonstrate stability, durability, and proven reliability in the real world.”
According to Torri, their Prisma 4.0 construction model maximizes the module’s safety and longevity: “Panels that are three times sturdier and eight times more hail-resistant than mainstream products and the relevant IEC standards. This is based on the same philosophy as the patented X-Core2 technology, which redistributes the load applied to the panel by up to five times.”
In the current geopolitical context, Torri continues, structural ties to the Asian supply chain entail growing risks. Among these risks, the CEO of the Brescia-based company cites supply chain dependency, regulatory volatility, constant pressure on prices, and potential reputational risks. “In our case, the choice was clear: to structurally reduce risk through production in Italy. The Asian supply chain can serve as a source of components, but not as an industrial model to follow. We do not view our independence as a constraint, but as a strategic opportunity: if the market and regulations begin to truly value robustness, safety, compliance, and reliability in the long term, the European high-end segment will no longer be an exception, but a benchmark.”
The Voice of Italia Solare
“No EU country has implemented legislation for the European supply chain like Italy has.”
According to Italia Solare, “no European country has implemented legislation as supportive of the creation of a European photovoltaic supply chain as Italy has.” Italy, notes Andrea Rovera, a board member of Italia Solare, was the first EU country “to enact legislation as early as 2023 to promote ‘Made in EU’ products, which has been implemented over the years through four different support measures; unfortunately, it appears the fifth will not see the light of day.”
Therefore, from a broader perspective, the signs are considered positive. “That said,” Rovera points out, “there remains the classic Italian problem of sudden changes in the start and end dates of measures designed to support any given sector—marked by abrupt accelerations for which supply chains are unprepared and sudden halts just when the sector has managed to adapt.”
According to Rovera, the key step toward fostering the creation of a European “Made in EU” photovoltaic supply chain is regulatory certainty and the genuine commitment of all Member States to this rebuilding effort. “It cannot happen, as it did 10 years ago, that Italy is left alone to promote measures that favor European manufacturing, from which all industries in other Member States that do not adopt similar measures also benefit,” the association’s advisor explains.
From the EU’s perspective, “clear, long-term rules are needed to establish a protected environment in which European companies can find a target market.”
According to Italia Solare, perovskite and tandem photovoltaic cells, back-contact and heterojunction photovoltaic cells, and photovoltaic modules with enhanced or controlled transparency—which are useful for agrivoltaic or architecturally integrated solutions—are expected to dominate European solar component production in the coming years.
On this point, Rovera says, “the European guidelines are quite clear,” and it makes little sense to try to compete in a “red ocean” of existing markets, where many well-established competitors are vying for the same demand. Therefore, we must focus on high-quality innovation, offering something different “that increases value for the customer and often reduces costs, making competition irrelevant at first.”
According to Italian and EU regulations, “the next step is to continue developing long-term programs with a clear roadmap, as seemed to be the case with the Energy Bills Decree.” It was a very interesting initiative.
“It would have been the fifth of its kind in Italy; it was planned to begin in 2028 and continue for the following three years.” But, Rovera concludes, “unfortunately, it seems there will be a reversal, and we will continue to see sudden changes, as in the latest budget.”
Sergio Matalucci and Massimiliano Tripodo
Source: PV Magazine