In FUNPASOS has launched, together with three national entities, the initiative GRAZING-PV, research project that is committed to implement in photovoltaic systems management strategies based on the extensive livestock as a tool to design more sustainable facilities. It is, therefore, generate profits and minimize the impact to the infrastructure of the plants have on the soil, the flora and fauna of their environment, through good practice of grazing, basic pillar of rural development and the source of a multitude of ecosystem services.

In addition to FUNPASOS, the organisms involved are the Center of Scientific and Technological Research of Extremadura (CICYTEX), which leads the project, and the Foundations ENTRETANTOS and COOPRADO. The project also counts with the collaboration of the General Directorate of Sustainability of the Regional Government of Extremadura and energy promoting companies.

The project work plan has begun with the collection and analysis of samples of soil and herbaceous species present in the photovoltaic power plants and adjacent areas to know the starting situation. So it will be able to design adequate management strategies for each facility, based on regenerative grazing and in the improvement of the vegetal roofs, which to be tested for more than two years. During this time, we will study the evolution of the grass, and the physical, chemical and biological soil characteristics, in order to assess the impact of the improvement measures implemented.

It will also analyse the effect of these improvement strategies on the terrestrial biodiversity of the area (flora, fauna and avifauna), and will measure its social and economic impact, assessing the social acceptability of plants, employment, population, the rural economy and the role of women.

In parallel, it is planned to develop a Geographic Information System of the photovoltaic plants in Extremadura, from data provided by the General Directorate of Sustainability of the Regional Government of Extremadura. Will be a platform for consultation with information of interest to stakeholders involved in the development of the agrivoltaic activity and management of the plants (management, agriculture and livestock, energy sector, the local population, etc) that also will be the value of livestock as a generator of ecosystem resources.

In addition to the mentioned technic tasks are going to carry out an important work of training and awareness-raising on the importance of the role of a proper management of grazing and groundcovers in pv systems to generate positive impacts both in society and in the environment.

Integration of women

The role of women in the agricultural work is inconspicuous and lacks recognition. This circumstance is especially pronounced in the sector of extensive livestock farming. The project GRAZING-PV is also set as a priority objective to reverse this situation, favoring the integration of women in this activity and in the management of the land occupied by photovoltaic plants. To this end, they will develop training and/or educational activities aimed specifically at women livestock farmers or those who wish to take up this activity.

PARTNERS INVOLVED

GRAZING-PV has the support of the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) in the framework of the Plan of Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience (PRTR), funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.