Solar PV company Lightsource bp is working with a cattle farmer in France to develop plans for a new ‘agrivoltaic’ solar PV project.
The 22MW Henroux site near Sancoins will include cows grazing areas underneath the solar panels. The Charolais cattle grazing operation, including livestock, pasture management and hay production will continue to function across the site.
While sheep can comfortably live alongside solar panels installed in their normal configuration, Henroux will see some modules elevated to 2.5m and a tracking strategy adapted to allow cows the space to graze underneath. Lightsource BP said “projects of this like are an opportunity to consolidate the adoption of rotational grazing and optimise pasture productivity”.
It also said that this central part of France has witnessed increased periods of drought. Some fields at the Henroux site are currently planted with maize, which is grown for cow feed. However, the droughts and increasingly sandy soil has led to poor yields. These fields will be planted with new seed mixes that are more resilient, can thrive in the shade of the solar panels and will have a longer growing season. The end result is more protein-rich fodder for the cows.
France already requires some car parks to be have solar canopies.