Livestock agrivoltaic canopy

for crops

Product overview
Agrivoltaic shading system designed for temporary meadows and leys, compatible with alternating uses of the plot (grazing, forage crops, cereal crops). Engineered to allow mowing, grazing and mechanical harvesting while enabling the passage of agricultural machinery and minimizing footprint on the pasture.

Key advantages

• Adapted to livestock production, forage and field crops; suitable for rotating temporary leys.
• Animal safety prioritized with a comfortable minimum clearance under panels tailored to livestock type (sheep, goats, cattle).
• Compatible with agricultural machinery: layout and clearances (example zones ~15 m where required) enable field operations beneath the canopy.
• Small structural footprint to preserve pasture continuity and animal movement.
• Intelligent panel control to meet crop and farmer requirements.
• Dynamic panels provide partial and rotating shade to protect grassland, crops and animals from climatic stress.
• Model designed to secure long-term income for the operator and landowner.

Smart technology adapted to crops

• Automatic panel height limitation according to crop type and growth stage.
• Automatic maximum tilt in heavy rain to ensure even water flow and reduce soil erosion.
• Optimized panel positioning to facilitate farming operations and respond to agro-climatic needs.
• Panel control logic designed to ease harvesting and passage of agricultural machinery.

Agronomic benefits

• Reduced plot temperatures and protection against excessive solar radiation during summer.
• Limits evapotranspiration and water stress, contributing to water savings.
• Improved pasture productivity during dry periods and reduced spring frost risk.
• Enhanced animal welfare by providing shade and shelter during heat or adverse weather.

Results from demonstration program (selected highlights)

• Annual yields under the agrivoltaic solution comparable to control plots, with improved resilience in dry conditions (Souleuvre-en-Bocage, 2024–2025).
• Average daily temperature range reduced by ~1°C over 24 h across the year at monitored sites.
• Observed average potential evapotranspiration reduction: −35% (Verdonnet, 2025).
• During hottest hours (days > 30°C) air temperature at plant height reduced by ~−4°C under the canopy (Chadeleuf, May 2026).
• During heatwaves, livestock (cattle) were observed resting under the canopy rather than seeking shelter in buildings (Souleuvre-en-Bocage, summer 2025).

Operation & maintenance

• Panels automatically tilt to maximum angle in heavy rain to allow crops to benefit from water and to limit soil erosion, providing more homogeneous water distribution.
• TSE manages maintenance of areas under panels and around posts; preventive maintenance scheduled between crops in consultation with the farmer. Compensation arrangements are planned if interventions impact a crop.
• Foundations: preference for piled metal stakes driven into the ground to secure installations against climatic hazards.

Technical characteristics / specifications

• Commercial name: Shading system for ley farming.
• Designed use: temporary meadows / leys — pasture, forage crops, cereal crops, rotating pastures.
• Crop height compatibility: suitable for low and medium crops under approx. 1.60 m (including forage crops).
• Livestock compatibility: sheep, goats and cattle (designed for rotating grazing systems).
• Minimum comfortable clearance under panels adapted to animal type (animal safety prioritized).
• Footprint: small structural footprint to allow free movement of livestock and minimize pasture impact.
• Agricultural machinery compatibility: layout and heights designed to allow passage/operations (design examples reference ~15 m clearance zones where machinery transit is required).
• Foundations: piled foundations (metal stakes) driven into ground to secure arrays.
• Panel behavior: automatic height limitation and tilting; dynamic panels provide partial and rotating shade.
• Hydro/agro features: panels tilt in heavy rain for homogeneous water flow and erosion control; panel positioning tailored to agro-climatic crop needs.
• Maintenance model: TSE performs maintenance of under-panel and post areas; preventive maintenance scheduled to limit crop impact and include farmer consultation and compensation if needed.
• Demonstration metrics: comparable annual yields to control plots with improved drought resilience; ~−1°C daily temperature range reduction (avg.); up to −35% evapotranspiration reduction (site data); ~−4°C at plant height during hottest hours on monitored days.