Italy’s utility-scale solar market is entering a new phase of sustained expansion, and from March 4–6 the industry will gather at the Rimini Expo Center in Rimini for Key Energy 2026. Against this backdrop, Nextpower will be present at stand C5 / 501, highlighting how its tracker technology is helping shape the country’s evolving photovoltaic landscape.

At the center of its showcase is the Rinaldone Solar PV Plant, a landmark project that illustrates how advanced tracking solutions can unlock performance, bankability, and long-term investor confidence in the Italian market.

A Milestone for Utility-Scale Solar in Lazio

Located in the province of Viterbo, in the Lazio region, Rinaldone has an installed capacity of 45 MW and forms part of a 135 MW renewable energy cluster alongside the Camposcala and Mandrione projects. Developed, owned, and operated by Madrid-based independent power producer BNZ and executed by Grupotec as EPC contractor, the plant represents BNZ’s first fully operational asset in Italy.

The project is part of an innovative pan-European green financing structure supporting BNZ’s strategy to develop approximately 1.7 GW of renewable capacity across Southern Europe, with 520 MW targeted in Italy by 2026. As Italy rebounds from years of slow installation rates—previously constrained by complex permitting, grid connection bottlenecks, and perceived market risk—projects like Rinaldone signal renewed confidence in large-scale solar development.

NX Horizon®: Performance, reliability and bankability

A key enabler of the project’s success is the deployment of NX Horizon® by Nextpower, the company’s flagship solar tracker platform. Designed to maximize energy yield and long-term operational reliability, the system’s independent-row architecture enabled efficient installation and facilitated sequential, block-by-block commissioning, accelerating grid connection.

In a market where long-term production certainty is critical for financing, predictability in performance directly enhances project bankability. By combining engineering robustness with installation efficiency, NX Horizon® supports developers and IPPs in delivering assets that meet both technical and financial expectations.

Delivering Environmental and Social Impact

Rinaldone avoids approximately 23,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually and generates clean electricity equivalent to the consumption of around 16,000 households. During construction, the broader Lazio cluster supported nearly 200 jobs.

Beyond performance metrics, the project incorporated agreements with local communities and farmers, as well as initiatives such as installing solar systems in public schools across the Viterbo province—reinforcing its long-term integration within the region.

From Case Study to Industry Showcase at Key Energy

The successful delivery and operation of Rinaldone demonstrates how advanced PV tracking technology, combined with disciplined project execution, can de-risk utility-scale solar in Italy. As the country consolidates its return to sustained growth, technology is emerging as a defining factor in ensuring performance, scalability, and investor appeal.

At Key Energy 2026, Nextpower will bring this experience to the international stage from stand C5 / 501, presenting how solutions like NX Horizon® are contributing to Italy’s next chapter of solar expansion and supporting a more competitive, mature renewable energy market.