Is it feasible to raise sheep under photovoltaic panels

Can sheep damage solar panels?

Sheep cannot eat solar panels. While they’re at the solar site, you will need to figure out a way to get water to them. The good news is that the shade under the solar panels provides a high-welfare environment for the sheep, so they will likely drink less than normal.

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 suited for solar?

The practice is also in use in parts of Canada, the UK, France, Japan, Australia and South America, it said. In some instances, sheep are better suited to maneuver around solar panels than conventional mowers and help reduce carbon emissions. For the solar companies, the tie-up brings potential cost savings and a reduced carbon footprint.

Should solar grazing be a value-add to a sheep enterprise?

Solar grazing can be a positive value-add to a sheep enterprise. According to the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), utility-scale solar arrays may cover 3 million acres across the US by 2030. This has led to tension with farmers and farmland advocates, as the panels are often sited on good agricultural land, potentially displacing current production.

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.

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.