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Agri-PV in combination with sheep and poultry farming: An innovative approach to animal welfare, energy production and sustainable agriculture

Modern agriculture faces the challenge of harmonising economic profitability, ecological sustainability and social expectations. Agri-PV, the simultaneous utilisation of land for power generation and agricultural production, offers a sustainable and resilient model for the agriculture of the future. One promising approach is the combination of agri-PV with extensive livestock farming - especially sheep and poultry.

Synergies between PV systems and animal husbandry

Photovoltaic systems offer ideal conditions for animal husbandry under certain configurations: the modules create shade and protect the animals from overheating or the effects of the weather. The areas between the rows of modules can be used for grazing - this reduces the need for mowing and promotes natural soil care.

This keeps the area in active agricultural use - which is also a key criterion for many (EU) funding programmes.

Advantages for sheep farmers

Sheep are ideal for grazing under PV systems. The advantages for sheep farmers are manifold:

Feed costs are reduced thanks to the continuous supply of fresh greenery. In addition, the amount of work involved in pasture maintenance is reduced; the animals' droppings, for example, have a natural fertilising effect on the soil. The animals themselves also benefit from the PV roofing: studies have shown an improvement in animal welfare. In particular, the possibility of having many shady places available on the pasture and not having to gather as a herd in the shade of individual bushes or trees promotes the well-being of the animals.1 The study from south-east Australia cited here investigated the influence of shade on sheep during the summer. The results show that sheep with access to shade had lower respiratory rates and body temperatures, indicating less heat stress. A positive effect on the animals' growth and immune function was also observed. Grazing in combination with the production of green electricity is also an increasingly important argument for consumers and farmers' stakeholders:2

A sustainable total farm concept fulfils the wishes of a growing group of consumers who are interested in resource-saving alternatives to industrial food production.

Advantages for poultry farmers

Poultry also benefit from agrivoltaic structures: it has been proven that shading modules also have a positive effect on animal welfare in poultry. Particularly in midsummer, the sensitive animals are better protected from the weather by large-scale PV systems and are therefore less stressed. Another Australian study has shown that free-range chickens prefer shaded areas, especially if the shade is evenly distributed over the area, as is the case with PV systems. It was also found that chickens suffer from heat stress at high temperatures as they are unable to sweat. Shaded areas help them to regulate their body temperature, which can have a positive effect on their feed intake and laying performance.3 There is enough space under the panels for the animals to walk further distances, and this activity also indirectly promotes meat quality.

Integration into regional cycles

The combination of agri-PV with animal husbandry also promotes regional value chains. Electricity, food and agricultural services can be produced, processed and consumed locally. This strengthens rural areas and increases the resilience of farms to external market and climate risks.

The role of CCE Holding: partner for integrated concepts

CCE combines in-depth expertise in the field of photovoltaics with agronomic know-how. The company develops site-specific concepts in which animal husbandry and energy generation go hand in hand. CCE takes care of the entire process for farmers, from initial planning and the approval process through to realisation - with the aim of creating long-term, viable and sustainable systems. The triad of ecological necessity, economic profitability and social responsibility always takes centre stage.

Dual utilisation with added value: Agri-PV as a model for the future

Agri-PV in combination with sheep or poultry farming is a prime example of the innovative agriculture of the future. The integrated utilisation of agricultural land not only brings economic benefits, but also improves animal welfare, land maintenance and sustainability. With an experienced partner such as CCE-Holding, such projects can be individually adapted to the respective farm and quickly realised. The result is a new way of farming - efficient, environmentally friendly and animal welfare-orientated.

Footnotes: 1. cf.: ScienceDirect - Applied Animal Behaviour Scienc; 2, cf: Sustainability transformation in the agri-food sector: consumer acceptance of food innovations; 3. cf.:Study: Evenly spaced enrichments best for broiler behaviour | WATTPoultry.com