Solar grazing is the practice of using sheep to manage vegetation on solar farms, a method that replaces conventional mowing with a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative. Unlike mechanical mowing, sheep can navigate under and around solar panels with ease, eating weeds and invasive species that would otherwise require intensive labor or herbicides to control. This method is particularly beneficial in regions where maintaining vegetation growth around solar infrastructure can be costly and time-consuming.
According to the American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA), the U.S. currently has over 129,000 acres of solar sites maintained by 113,000 sheep across 30 states. The practice is also gaining momentum in countries such as Canada, the U.K., France, Japan, and Australia.
For farmers, solar grazing presents an opportunity to increase profitability without sacrificing agricultural land. With farming becoming an increasingly low-margin industry, integrating sheep grazing with solar energy production allows landowners to diversify their revenue streams.
Solar companies benefit from the practice as well. Compared to mechanical mowing, sheep grazing provides a cost-effective and environmentally friendly vegetation management solution that enhances site performance while reducing carbon emissions. According to studies by Cornell University and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), solar grazing can provide farmers with hundreds of dollars per acre annually while also improving soil health and boosting native vegetation.
Moreover, sheep farmers can enter contracts with solar site owners, receiving financial compensation for their grazing services while ensuring their flocks have access to well-fenced pastures with reliable food and water sources. Some solar developers even provide additional accommodations, such as electricity and shelter.
Solar farms have often been criticized for consuming large tracts of land, but agrivoltaic practices like solar grazing mitigate this concern by preserving farmland and supporting local ecosystems. When combined with pollinator-friendly vegetation, solar grazing can enhance biodiversity by attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
The Department of Energy’s (DOE) InSPIRE project has been studying the impact of pollinator-friendly solar farms on local biodiversity. Findings suggest that these installations contribute to increased bee populations and improved crop yields in surrounding farmland. Furthermore, grazing sheep helps restore soil health and enhance carbon sequestration, reducing overall environmental impact.
The current DOE under President Trump has implemented measures that could impact programs like solar grazing. Shortly after inauguration, the administration issued executive orders halting federal disbursements for various clean energy initiatives, including those funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and the bipartisan infrastructure law. This freeze affects approximately $50 billion in DOE loans already committed, with an additional $280 billion in loan requests pending.
Additionally, the DOE has experienced significant layoffs, including 45 employees from the Loan Programs Office, which oversees funding for clean energy projects. These actions have raised concerns about the future of programs that integrate renewable energy with agricultural practices, such as solar grazing.
While there hasn't been a specific announcement targeting solar grazing, the broader funding freezes and budgetary cuts to clean energy programs suggest potential challenges for such initiatives. The uncertainty surrounding federal support may hinder the expansion or maintenance of programs that combine solar energy production with agricultural land use.
It's essential to monitor official DOE communications and policy updates to understand the full extent of these changes on solar grazing and related programs.
