Conventional solar parks can support sheep and cattle grazing because vegetation under and between PV modules provides adequate feed quality, according to a new research report that analyzes five installations in Germany.
Image: pv magazine
From pv magazine Deutschland
Grassland in conventional solar parks can be used for sheep and cattle grazing, according to a study by the Federal Association for New Energy Industry (bne). The research found that vegetation within solar installations provides sufficient feed quality, suggesting agricultural use is possible without dedicated agrivoltaic systems.
The study draws on research by scientists from the University of Göttingen and the University of Cologne, who analyzed vegetation, biomass and animal behavior in five solar parks in Schleswig-Holstein, Brandenburg, Hesse and Lower Saxony over an 18-month period.
Researchers compared grassland conditions under, between and outside rows of solar modules, including sites with carbon-rich soils and dry conditions. They also assessed how PV modules influence microclimate factors such as soil moisture, soil temperature and light conditions, and how these affect vegetation development and ecosystem services.
Using lidar scanners mounted on mobile platforms and drones, the team mapped vegetation structure in three dimensions across the solar parks, including areas beneath modules. The study found higher species diversity and higher protein content in plants growing under modules, while biomass was typically greater between module rows.
Observations of grazing animals showed that sheep tended to remain under modules at higher temperatures, where the structures provide protection from direct sunlight and weather.
The association said the findings indicate that solar parks should increasingly be considered agricultural land. According to the bne, ground-mounted photovoltaic installations can generate electricity while enabling agricultural use.
The group recommended that this type of land management be recognized as agriculture alongside agrivoltaic systems.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
More articles from Marian Willuhn
Please be mindful of our community standards.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Comment *
Name *
Email *
Website
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.


Δ
By submitting this form you agree to pv magazine using your data for the purposes of publishing your comment.
Your personal data will only be disclosed or otherwise transmitted to third parties for the purposes of spam filtering or if this is necessary for technical maintenance of the website. Any other transfer to third parties will not take place unless this is justified on the basis of applicable data protection regulations or if pv magazine is legally obliged to do so.
You may revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future, in which case your personal data will be deleted immediately. Otherwise, your data will be deleted if pv magazine has processed your request or the purpose of data storage is fulfilled.
Further information on data privacy can be found in our Data Protection Policy.
Legal Notice Terms and Conditions Data Privacy © pv magazine 2026
Δ
This website uses cookies to anonymously count visitor numbers. View our privacy policy. ×
The cookie settings on this website are set to “allow cookies” to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click “Accept” below then you are consenting to this.
Close

source