Volkswagen employs 100 sheep to graze solar farm in Poland

Volkswagen has deployed a flock of about 100 Wielkopolska‑breed sheep to graze the vegetation beneath its large photovoltaic installation at the Września plant near Poznań, Poland. The agrivoltaic site covers roughly 27 hectares, hosts more than 31,000 panels and has a capacity of 18.3 MW, supplying about a quarter of the factory’s annual electricity demand and up to 100 % on sunny days.

The sheep replace mechanical lawn‑mowers, cutting maintenance costs, emissions and noise while providing shade that may reduce heat stress on the animals. The project is run with Quanta Energy, which built and operates the plant, and is studied in partnership with the Poznań University of Life Sciences. Researchers are tracking impacts on animal welfare, biodiversity, soil quality, vegetation and micro‑climate, aiming to demonstrate how large‑scale solar generation can coexist with agriculture.

Volkswagen officials say the initiative showcases how renewable‑energy infrastructure can support biodiversity, local farming and scientific research, and the flock will remain on site until autumn under the care of experienced breeders.