Volkswagen brings in 100 sheep to mow its solar farm in Poland

Volkswagen has swapped its lawnmowers for something a lot woollier. A flock of 100 sheep is now grazing beneath more than 31,000 solar panels at the photovoltaic farm that helps power the carmaker’s manufacturing plant in Poznań, Poland, taking over vegetation management at one of Europe’s most advanced industrial agrivoltaics sites.

The 18.3 MW installation was built and is managed by Berlin-based Quanta Energy. On bright, sunny days it can generate enough electricity to meet the factory’s entire demand, and across a full year it supplies roughly 25% of the plant’s power needs. The Poznań site builds the Volkswagen e-Crafter commercial van, among other models, making it a serious operation with a sprawling solar field that needs regular trimming.

Instead of sending mechanical mowers between the rows of panels, Volkswagen brought in the flock to naturally trim the grass, including patches growing directly underneath the panels. The panels return the favour by offering shade, keeping the animals cooler on hot days. As Electrek reports, the arrangement cuts machinery use while letting scientists study how large-scale renewable energy and agriculture can coexist, with the sheep set to stay on the job until autumn under the supervision of experienced breeders.

“Today, the photovoltaic farm delivers much more than green electricity. It has also become a place that supports biodiversity, local agriculture, and scientific research,” said Marzena Pillich-Grońska, director of Volkswagen Poznań, adding that the project shows modern industry can work in harmony with nature.