Special Envoy in Vernoy
On this Tuesday in July, 44-year-old breeder Emmanuel Mortelmans’ sheep seek shade in Nieuwry Vernoy. In the afternoon it is more than 30 ° C. The lattice fences surrounding this 8-hectare natural meadow are not high enough to protect the animals from the sun’s rays, then at the zenith.
The sheep prefer to take shelter under one of the 48 rows of photovoltaic panels mounted on south-facing tables. Between each plane, which can reach 360 meters long and 3.6 meters wide, 4 meter wide corridors. Enough space for a tractor to pass or to graze sheep in the open air.
Solar energy production enables the development of areas with low agronomic potential
Michel Boudoin, President of the National Sheep Federation
“In this intense heat, they prefer to take shelter under the panels. it’s warmer there and the grass is greener.”, notes Emmanuel Mortelmans. A landscape showing a classic grassland. “We are at the base of a 70ha solar farm spread over four plots of land…
Source: Le Figaro
