Agrivoltaics – Grazing under solar panels - Dirk Hanken (Germany)
The Hanken farm is a grass-based dairy farm with 220 dairy cows and young stock located in northern Germany. Dirk manages 160 ha permanent grassland on peat soil. In 2023, he installed two solar panels from the company Sun Farming as agrivoltaics on his pasture. The agrivoltaics are part of a scientific study about the interaction of the solar panels with animals and grazing management. The solar panels offer an added value to the farmers income and the animal welfare. Solar panels are usually installed on extensively managed grassland and have an impact on the sward composition. In the first year of the experiment, only the behaviour of the animals has been recorded so far.
The farmer could not imagine installing a large-scale solar park on his farmland. He would prefer to install single panels in each paddock, as those can also be used as a shelter from heat and rainfall.
Animals’ behaviour:
- The cows do not pay attention to the panels.
- The module was only used as a shelter and weather protection when it was very hot and sunny.
- On rainy days it was sometimes used as shelter.
Management under the panel:
- The sward density and quality under the panel has not changed significantly.
- No mowing under the panel was needed.
- No fertilisers were needed.
Installation tips for solar panels on peat soil:
- When installing the panels, it is important to ensure distances to ditches and drainages to be able to mow, mulch or clean.
- The panel construction is anchored for 1.40 meters in the ground.
Grazing4AgroEcology - European Network to promote grazing and to support grazing-based farms on their economic and ecologic performances as well as on animal welfare
Completed | 2022-2026
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Germany, Ireland, Sweden, Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, Romania, France