As the solar industry moves toward more sustainable land-use practices, sheep grazing in solar parks is proving to be more than a charming sight — it’s a smart operational choice.
In markets like the Netherlands, grazing supports biodiversity, provides natural vegetation control, and cuts maintenance costs and carbon emissions compared to mechanical mowing.
But there’s a catch: when technology meets livestock, new challenges appear. One of the most common?
Sheep triggering CCTV alarms.
Without coordination between O&M teams, grazing managers, and security providers, motion sensors and cameras can misinterpret animal movement as intrusions. The result: unnecessary alerts, higher monitoring costs, and decreased confidence in the system.
The key is collaboration.
Security design must evolve alongside land management. Involving CCTV providers early in the project allows teams to adjust:
- Camera placement and angles to avoid grazing zones.
- Motion sensitivity settings tailored for animal activity.
- AI-based video analytics that differentiate between humans, vehicles, and sheep.
Leveraging AI for smarter operations
Modern, AI-enabled security systems can now filter out irrelevant motion automatically — reducing false alarms and O&M overhead.
Over time, these systems “learn” the rhythm of each site, adapting to local conditions and seasonal patterns, which enhances both reliability and efficiency.
Conclusion
Integrating sheep grazing and advanced monitoring isn’t just possible — it’s the next step toward smarter, more sustainable solar asset management.
With the right planning and AI-driven tools, solar parks can truly embody the balance between nature, technology, and performance.
Written by Natasha Reveilhac – Solar Asset Manager