Livestock Farming under Agri-PV: Specialist Event at the SUNfarming Research & Training Center

The SUNfarming Food & Energy Research & Training Center in Rathenow recently hosted a specialist event focused on livestock farming under agri-photovoltaics (Agri-PV).

The event was organised in cooperation with the State Office for Occupational Safety, Consumer Protection and Health (LAVG Brandenburg), represented by the Animal Welfare Advisory Service. Thanks to funding from the Focus Animal Welfare Network supported by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Community, participation was free of charge. The event brought together livestock farmers, representatives from authorities and scientific institutions, as well as experts from consulting, planning, and the solar industry, fostering a multidisciplinary exchange of knowledge and experience.

Programme Highlights

The day began with a get-together and welcome address by Dr. Claudia Possardt (TSBD) and Angelique Buchwald (Netzwerk Fokus Tierwohl, LAVG), followed by a guided tour of the on-site Agri-PV systems, which are operated in combination with livestock farming.

The technical programme featured a series of expert presentations:

• Luca Unger (M. Münch Elektrotechnik GmbH & Co. KG) shared insights into the behaviour of farm animals within Agri-PV systems.

• Edith Seemann (BRM e.V.) outlined current funding opportunities for Agri-PV in livestock farming.

• Carl Pump (University of Greifswald / Fraunhofer ISE) presented technical solutions for implementing Agri-PV in free-range farming systems.

• Margarete von Oppen, lawyer at orka Partnerschaft mbB, provided an overview of legal considerations related to the building approval process for Agri-PV on run-off areas.

• Several farmers shared practical experiences, offering valuable insights directly from the field.

Key Takeaways

The event highlighted the multiple benefits of combining livestock farming with Agri-PV:

• Improved animal welfare through protection from heat, heavy rain, and frost

• Increased land-use efficiency and profitability through dual use for energy generation and livestock farming

• A meaningful contribution to climate protection and the energy transition

In the concluding discussion, participants emphasised that Agri-PV in livestock farming is not only a technological advancement but also a socially relevant innovation. Many called for simplified approval processes and funding structures to unlock the full potential of this sustainable solution.