Research into the combination of solar energy and dairy farming
This autumn, we are participating in a project that explores opportunities for generating solar energy on pastureland intended for dairy farming. With SolarMilk, we aim to investigate the feasibility of integrating solar systems into dairy farming practices.
The combination of agriculture and electricity production could be a solution to several challenges society faces, including space constraints. Solarmilk is an initiative by research institution TNO, Wageningen University & Research, and landscape developer Eelerwoude. In addition to LC Energy, solar park developers Novar and Statkraft are also participating.
Dairy farming
Almost two-thirds of Dutch agricultural land is used by dairy farming. If this can be combined with green energy generation, farmers’ income streams can be diversified, creating financial flexibility. Farmers can use this to more easily bear sustainability measures for nitrogen reduction, for example. The goal of SolarMilk is to develop a practical, deployable design. For this purpose, four test fields will be set up where various measurements will be taken throughout the year.
Test fields
The test fields are all 1.3 hectares and will be set up on sandy and clay soils. Experimentation will be conducted with vertically integrated systems and sun-tracking systems, which are not yet widely used. Space will be left for grass production and mechanical processing thereof. Researchers will monitor the impact on grass yield, feed quality, and electricity production, and will conduct various measurements during different growth seasons.
The measurements will be linked to financial information from dairy farms. The aim is to develop a design methodology for the combination of dairy farming with solar energy. Immediately after the research concludes, the results will be available to everyone within the sector.
Friso Huizinga
