Researchers have found that sheep can be raised under solar panels without compromising land use or solar energy production. The experiment, conducted on a farm in Canada, demonstrated that sheep can graze under agrivoltaic arrays, also known as solar farms, without reducing the energy output. The study found that the sheep’s grazing habits can actually improve the land’s productivity and resilience to extreme weather events. The researchers also found that the sheep can eliminate the need for herbicides or costly grass cutting on the solar farms, making it a lucrative proposition for farmers.
The study suggests that the simultaneous use of farmland for both agriculture and solar energy production can be profitable, and the earnings from the land using this approach are higher than the standards in the agriculture industry. The authors of the study, including Joshua Pearce, conclude that the partnership between sheep and solar panels benefits everyone involved, from farmers to shepherds to the environment. The findings of the study were published in Applied Energy and have the potential to revolutionize the way we approach sustainable energy production and agriculture.