Volkswagen has adopted an innovative approach to maintain its solar park in Poznan, Poland, by deploying a flock of 100 sheep to graze beneath its solar panels. This initiative aligns with the agrovoltaics trend, integrating farming with renewable energy production, showcasing that land can serve dual purposes.
The sheep manage the grasslands, aid in scientific research, and enhance biodiversity, as reported by Electrek.
Switching to ecological maintenance, Volkswagen employs 100 sheep instead of mechanical mowers to naturally trim the grass under its over 31,000 solar panels. This solar farm delivers clean energy to Volkswagen’s Poznań production plant, which manufactures vehicles like the VW e-Crafter electric van.
The sheep will remain on-site until autumn, managed by skilled livestock keepers. Their grazing prevents vegetation overgrowth without the noise and emissions usually associated with mowing. According to Justyna Nowak-Gajek, who owns the flock, the sheep have adapted well to their new environment.
The initiative represents a significant industrial agrovoltaics project in Europe, combining commercial activity with scientific research, in collaboration with the University of Life Sciences in Poznań. The project supports insect and wildlife habitats, turning the solar farm into more than an energy production site.
Researchers are studying the interrelation between renewable energy and agriculture, with focus areas including:
- Animal welfare and adaptation.
- Local ecosystem biodiversity changes.
- Soil quality and plant growth.
- Microclimate effects around solar panels.
Dr. Joanna Skladakovska-Bariza from the Department of Animal Husbandry notes that panel shade can reduce heat stress for animals, and thorough analysis will help integrate renewable energy and agriculture effectively.
The 18.3 megawatt solar farm, built by Quanta Energy, can fully power the factory on sunny days and supplies about 25% of its annual electricity needs.
In the U.S., as farmers faced financial challenges, some turned to grazing solar farms with sheep to diversify income, with sheep grazing solar sites increasing from 15,000 acres in 2021 to over 129,000 acres last October. The number of sheep in these facilities also rose from 80,000 to over 113,000 from January to October 2024, aiding flock growth for the first time since 2016, according to Piers Orwick of the American Sheep Industry Association.
The U.S. solar industry expanded during Donald Trump’s first presidential term, and growth accelerated with a 2022 law subsidizing new clean energy projects under Joe Biden. The industry is expected to continue its growth trajectory during Trump’s second term, according to Abigail Ross Hopper of the Solar Energy Industries Association.
In Indiana and Illinois, the solar farm boom attracts young farmers avoiding debt for land and equipment, analysts say. In Virginia, Marcus and Jess Gray shifted focus from crops to lucrative contracts with Dominion Energy and Urban Grid, managing 900 sheep over 4,000 acres of solar installations.
Managed grazing can significantly reduce operating costs, despite potential higher initial costs for wells or fencing, explains Reagan Farr of Silicon Ranch. The company saves around 20% of operational expenses by using sheep for vegetation management, with Silicon Ranch even launching a sheep breeding program in Georgia due to increased demand from solar farms.
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