Is it good to raise sheep with photovoltaic panels

Are solar panels good for sheep?

Sheep living in pasture with solar panels benefit from shade in hot weather and more nutritious grass – and they stop weeds from growing on the panels Sheep living among rows of solar panels spend more time grazing, benefit from more nutritious food, rest more and appear to experience less heat stress, compared with nearby sheep in empty fields.

Can sheep graze around solar panels?

Sheep graze along arrays of solar panels in Hammond, Minnesota. ‘Solar grazing’ around panels is providing a lifeline to the US shepherding sector as clean energy expands. Stung by high fuel costs and a labor squeeze, some clean energy companies are turning to an unlikely ally — flocks of sheep — to keep their solar panels out of the shade.

Are sheep better than goats on solar farms?

There are a few reasons sheep are the superior choice for grazing on solar farms. For one, they are shorter than cows and horses. They will also eat most kinds of forage, which helps keep plant growth at bay. Goats, on the other hand, will chew pretty much anything, which is a bit of a risk on solar farms.

Is grazing cattle under solar panels a good idea?

There is growing interest in grazing cattle underneath solar panels. This year, the Energy Department launched the Large Animal and Solar System Operations (LASSO) Prize, providing millions of dollars for research around solar development and cattle grazing.

What is solar grazing & agrivoltaics?

“Agrivoltaics,” or the dual use of land for solar power and agriculture, is a way for both industries to utilize the same ground. The American Solar Grazing Association, founded in 2018, estimates about 5,000 sheep are currently maintaining US solar sites.

Can solar grazing help farmers feed their flocks?

A herd of sheep move between rows of photovoltaic panels at the Azure Sky solar project in Haskell County, Tex. Solar grazing helps farmers feed their flocks while the expanding solar industry provides more clean energy to the grid.