A key conclusion from the study is that agrivoltaics, in this case sheep grazing in commercial solar farms, provides mutual benefits for both sheep grazier and solar farm operator. As the operator at one farm said: “I don't charge the sheep grazier agistment and he doesn't charge me for keeping the grass mown.”
Some farms have even added bee hives and wildflower strips, combining sheep with pollinator-friendly landscaping. In parts of Australia, where space is wide open and vegetation can grow fast, sheep are becoming an essential part of managing solar installations in remote regions. As promising as solar grazing is, it's not without challenges:
Solar grazing is the practice of using sheep to manage vegetation at solar energy sites. Solar farms need regular maintenance to keep grass, weeds and brush from growing too high and blocking sunlight from reaching the panels.
There's also growing interest in combining sheep grazing with agritourism, allowing people to visit solar farms and meet the “solar sheep.” Some startups are even exploring “smart grazing” with GPS collars, drone monitoring, and other tech to make managing sheep at solar sites easier and more efficient.
The purpose of this study was to collect baseline data on how sheep grazing within commercial solar energy sites influences soil health, forage nutritive quality, and pasture conditions
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The Rise of Agrivoltaics and Solar Farming As the world shifts towards renewable energy, solar farms are becoming increasingly common. Solar farms generate clean electricity. However,
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A key conclusion from the study is that agrivoltaics, in this case sheep grazing in commercial solar farms, provides mutual benefits for both sheep grazier and solar farm operator.
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Discover why grazing sheep on solar farms is becoming an increasingly popular and sustainable way to keep your solar installation free from tall vegetation. Learn about the conditions required for both
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Solar grazing pairs clean energy with agriculture, letting sheep manage vegetation on solar farms. It cuts maintenance costs, improves land health & supports farmers with steady income.
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While this article focuses on solar grazing, the principles discussed are relevant to all low-input, grass-based production systems. This article was originally published in the August 2025
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Solar grazing is the practice of using sheep to manage vegetation at solar energy sites. Solar farms need regular maintenance to keep grass, weeds and brush from growing too high and
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Solar companies are increasingly adopting sheep grazing as a sustainable alternative to gas-powered mowers for maintaining solar farms. This eco-friendly practice not only reduces
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The American Solar Grazing Association estimates that about 80,000 sheep currently graze on more than 40,000 hectares of 500 solar panel sites in 27 states in the United States, a
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Discover how solar grazing with sheep supports renewable energy, improves soil health, and benefits farmers, as practiced by the American Grassfed Association producers. Solar grazing is
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