Animal agrivoltaic in the beef sheep farming industry

• Grant number: 21/02437-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: August 01, 2021
• End date: September 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Ecology of Domestic Animals and Ethology
• Principal Investigator: Alex Sandro Campos Maia
• Grantee: Sergio da Silva Fidelis
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Our goal is to study the impact of artificial shades from photovoltaic panels on thermal comfort, animal welfare and performance of crossbreed sheep Dorper x Santa Inês. In addition, electric power generation, economic viability and environmental benefits of installing photovoltaic panels will be measured. This study will be conducted between August and November, 2021, in the experimental paddock of the Biometeorology Laboratory of FCAV / Unesp Campus of Jaboticabal-SP. Weighting approximately 18 kg, 60 uncastrated Dorper x Santa Inês sheep will be equally distributed in two paddocks (approximately 450m² each; one with and another without approximately 40 m2 of artificial shade from 20 solar panels) that have a system that can measure animal weight, food intake (kg) and water intake (kg). Measurements will encompass body temperatures (temperature of the surface of the fur; subcutaneous temperature and intraperitoneal temperature), respiratory rate, behavior (location, activity, and posture), performance (dry matter consumption, daily weight gain, feed conversion, and carcass yield), carbon footprint, and energy generation (economic viability and environmental benefits). This data will bring insights on the benefits of shading in thermal comfort, well-being and performance of sheep and its feasibility in generating clean energy and income