Text written in Basque and translated automatically by Elia without any subsequent editing. SEE ORIGINAL

Interaction between solar panels, sheep and earth

NEIKER is studying the impact of photovoltaic structures on animal behaviour and on soils and grasslands through the European initiative Agripower. According to the first results, researchers have confirmed that sheep often use solar panels as shadows when it’s hot.

The research has been carried out at the headquarters of Arkaute, in the experimental agrovolumetric unit. The objective is to test intelligent agro-volt systems, that is, to analyze how to maintain agricultural productivity while optimizing energy performance. Thus, in this infrastructure there is a subunit of category AV-3 dedicated to grazing. As part of the study, these artificial shadows have been shown to be effective in improving the thermal balance of animals.

“With the agrovoltaics plant, instead of trees, they use panels as shade.”

The preference for these shades has led to a change in the behavior of the herd in this plot, since with the agrovoltaics installation, instead of trees, they use panels as shades and in the center of the pasture the cattle rest even in the hours of maximum heat.

NEIKER scientists continue to investigate to clarify not only the behavior of livestock, but also the interaction between livestock, soil and vegetation under solar panels. They point out that, on the one hand, shadow has caused changes in the irradiation received by the soil and in the temperature and humidity of the soil, so they are studying how it affects the growth and quality of the grass and the health of the soil. On the other hand, the animal’s impacts on this environment are being evaluated, both beneficial (due to feces) and harmful (compaction of the soil under cover). The implications of all these factors are expected to be clarified as part of the Agripower project.