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

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 the funding of the Focus Animal Welfare Network by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Community, participation was free of charge.

The event brought together farmers with animal husbandry, representatives of authorities and scientific institutions, as well as experts from consulting, planning, and the solar industry.

Program 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 Agri-PV systems on site, which are operated in combination with livestock farming.

The technical program featured a series of expert lectures:

• Luca Unger (M. Münch Elektrotechnik GmbH & Co. KG) shared insights on the behaviour of farm animals in Agri-PV systems.
• Edith Seemann (BRM e.V.) explained the 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.
• Lawyer Margarete von Oppen (orka Partnerschaft mbB) gave an overview of legal aspects regarding the building application process for Agri-PV on run-off areas.
• Several farmers shared their own practical experiences, providing valuable insights from the field.

Key Takeaways

The event demonstrated that combining livestock farming with Agri-PV creates multiple benefits:
• Improved animal welfare through protection from heat, heavy rain, and frost
• Increased profitability of agricultural land by enabling dual use—energy generation and livestock farming
• A valuable contribution to climate protection and the energy transition

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