TCC's Nature-based Solution：Solar Grazing at Cement Plant

Taiwan Cement (TCC) has released a new short feature titled "Beyond Herbicides: TCC's Nature-based Solution for Solar Farms – With Goats!" to commemorate the International Day for Biological Diversity (IBD) on May 22. The video highlights TCC's innovative "Solar Grazing" project at its Yingde plant in Guangdong, China. This nature-based solution significantly reduces the reliance on chemical herbicides while addressing the aging workforce in the livestock industry through collaboration with local shepherds. The project exemplifies TCC's commitment to green energy development and the sustainable coexistence of the environment and the community.

Goat and Solar: A Beautiful Symbiotic Relationship

TCC's Yingde facility is making remarkable strides in its journey towards sustainable energy. They've recently rolled out an impressive 8-megawatt photovoltaic system, paired with a 43.2 MW/107.3 MWh energy storage system—one of the most cutting-edge in the cement sector across China. In a parallel effort, TCC is diving into nature-based solutions (NbS) for weed control at their expansive solar farms, aiming to foster ecological harmony. Instead of relying on fossil fuel-driven mowers and toxic herbicides, the Yingde plant has decided to welcome goats into the fold for a more natural approach to weeding.

Solar Grazing: A Win-Win for the Environment and Community

Solar farms and goats are proving to be an ideal duo, much like Iron Man and Captain America or a hand in a glove. This initiative provides a natural food source for the goats, while their manure enriches the soil as organic fertilizer, enhancing its fertility. Initially, the TCC Yingde plant team raised goats themselves. However, in September of last year, they expanded the "Solar Grazing" project to benefit the community. They invited Mr. Qi Chenggong, a 65-year-old shepherd with 40 years of experience, and his wife to graze their flock at the cement plant. Mr. Qi previously grazed his goats at a farm two kilometers from the Yingde plant but faced common challenges associated with aging shepherds, such as mobility issues and the risk of goats getting lost.

Mr. Qi enthusiastically shares his groundbreaking discovery: raising goats beneath solar panels creates a secure grazing haven, keeping the goats from wandering off while they munch on lush, natural grass that yields top-notch "green food." This inventive strategy tackles the hurdles of finding grazing land and the dwindling number of shepherds due to aging, all while revolutionizing the conventional livestock sector and bolstering the strength of local economies.

A Living Green Cycle: Sun, Goats, and Solar Drive Sustainable Future

In the face of climate change and the pressing issue of land degradation, TCC is embracing a fresh wave of creativity and nature-inspired solutions to pave the way for sustainable development. This visionary strategy weaves together a lively green ecosystem at the cement plant, harmonizing sunlight, grazing goats, fertile land, solar energy, and efficient energy storage. Beyond its environmental impact, this initiative holds the promise of rejuvenating the local community and healing the land, fostering a true spirit of coexistence and shared prosperity.