C&I rooftop activity is tapering off in some places, while other European markets are experiencing strong growth.

Racking systems, the metal components that attach solar panels to rooftops, for example, are easy to overlook, but they are nonetheless a very important part of a solar installation. For the PV industry, they’re also an important indicator of overall market performance, particularly in the C&I segment.

Recently, pv magazine has been asking different rooftop racking providers and consultants who work with them how business has been in Europe. What emerged from these conversations is a picture of cautious optimism. The C&I industry, which drives much of the demand for rooftop solar racking systems, is on a slowdown. That’s a concern.

“There is a big drop in commercial and industrial projects. The major markets in Europe are shrinking even if the industry is always talking about these big C&I projects being the main driver for the wider PV market,” said Katherina David, CEO of Germany-based solar mounting solutions company K2 Systems.

David added that much of K2 Systems’ current demand comes from the booming utility-scale segment. “We still see huge demand in ground mount,” she said, adding that she is also seeing increasing demand for green roof solutions.

The C&I segment is cautious about investing in more solar, and David said this current trend is due to economic decline, bureaucratic uncertainties, and regulatory hurdles. For example, German rooftop C&I is lagging because the country’s economy is not growing and the market is dealing with negative prices for electricity, which makes solar a less attractive investment.

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