“These sheep mowse the grass and pay the bill”: the agrivoltaics transforms the farms into profitable solar power plants and improves the wool produced

In Australia, a new energy approach develops in the agricultural sector. Nevertheless, The concept of agrivoltaics. Furthermore, which combines agriculture with the production of solar electricity, allows farmers to maintain their land while generating renewable energy. Nevertheless, This method could become a key solution to the growing need to find sustainable agricultural practices. Meanwhile, Agrivormaics also offers an interesting economic model for farmers who seek to preserve their pasture landscape.

Combination of agriculture. Furthermore, solar “these sheep mowse grass pay energy

The Glenrowan West solar farm of 149 megawatts in Australia perfectly illustrates the potential of agrivoltaics. For example, Managed by Gayle. For example, Tom Lee, it shows that it is possible to produce renewable food and electricity on the same site. Furthermore, This initiative is inspired by practices already in place in Europe. In addition, Japan, where the limited availability of land has led to similar integration. In the United States. this approach even caused a flourishing industry, known as “Solar Grazing”, where sheep graze around and under solar panels to manage the vegetation.

“Agrivormaics represents an economical and environmentally friendly solution, improving soil health while producing energy. »»

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Ben Wynn. of the Australian company Wynergy, also explored this option by combining cattle and solar energy. According to him. the design of these installations must allow the reception of animals, which presents technical challenges for certain solar parks.

“these sheep mowse grass pay

Advantages for farmers – "these sheep mowse grass pay

Eric Nordberg, a researcher at New England University, maintains that agrivormaics offers significant advantages for farmers. By integrating solar panels into their land, farmers avoid giving up their pasture landscape from large solar companies. In addition, solar companies benefit from free management of vegetation. This reduces maintenance costs while allowing farmers to keep the use of their land.

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Although the directives on the installation of solar farms are increasing. little local data is still available to precisely assess their positive or negative impacts. This underlines the importance of continuing research to optimize this approach.

Improved quality. quantity of wool

In addition to its ecological and economic advantages, agrivormaic has shown unexpected profits on woolen production. In 2023, Iberdrola, a renewable energy company in Portugal, introduced 300 sheep on its photovoltaic farms. The results have revealed that sheep contribute to land maintenance and risk reduction. In Great Britain. an ambitious project provides for the use of 4,000 sheep on a solar farm of 1,600 hectares, with a potential saving of 6.71 million euros in mowing costs over 40 years.

Previous reports have also indicated that sheep paid under the solar panels in “these sheep mowse grass pay New South Wales produce a better quality wool. both in terms of texture and volume.

Prospects for the future of agrivoltaics

While agrivormaics develops mainly in Europe, other regions are beginning to adopt this practice. It represents a major opportunity to rethink the use of agricultural and energy land. However, technical challenges remain, in particular with regard to the compatibility of solar infrastructure with breeding. The development of clear guidelines. the accumulation of field data are essential to maximize the benefits of this innovative method.

“The key to success lies in the adaptation of infrastructure to allow effective cohabitation between solar energy and breeding. »»

Faced with the many challenges that agriculture. energy faced, could agrivormaics become a lasting and profitable solution on a large scale? The question remains open, but the first experiences seem promising. The development of these innovative practices requires close collaboration between farmers. researchers and energy “these sheep mowse grass pay companies to optimize the use of available resources. How could this approach be adapted to other agricultural contexts in the world?

This article is based on verified sources and the assistance of editorial technologies.

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