West Texas farmers are adopting "solar grazing," using sheep to manage vegetation under solar panels, providing income amid volatile agricultural markets.
Samuel Gilbert reports for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Solar grazing involves using sheep to control vegetation at solar farms, reducing the need for mowers and herbicides.
- Texas farmer Chad Raines now manages sheep at multiple solar sites, benefiting from stable contracts with energy companies.
- Solar grazing is part of the growing agrivoltaics industry, which combines agriculture with renewable energy production.
Key quote:
“The most existential threat to our industry is not global pandemics, it’s not who is in the White House, it’s not supply chain issues or the war in Ukraine. It’s local opposition, all centered around land-use questions.”
— Matt Beasley, chief commercial officer for Silicon Ranch Corp., a solar energy company
Why this matters:
Agrivoltaics offers a sustainable solution to two major challenges: the demand for renewable energy and the need to support struggling farmers. It also helps improve soil health and biodiversity while contributing to emissions reduction efforts.
Related: Solar farms provide more than clean energy by supporting pollinators
