Solar shepherds, who manage sheep grazing under solar panels, are part of a growing movement that combines agriculture and renewable energy — and offers high incomes in the process. My recent study, conducted with Ivey Business School alum Adam Gasch and professional shepherd Rafael Lara from The. . Western professor Joshua Pearce collaborated with professional shepherd Rafael Lara on a study that shows the profitability of “solar” sheep, raised specifically to trim grass and weeds under traditional solar panels or agrivoltaic arrays. The just-published study with lambs and solar panels was carried out in 2019 and 2020 at Oregon State's campus in. . Exploring the Synergy Between Solar and a Growing Sheep Industry As the world grapples with the twin challenges of Increasing energy demand and food security, innovative solutions that bridge the gap between renewable energy and sustainable agriculture are gaining traction.
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Solar grazing is an innovative practice gaining momentum across the United States, where sheep graze beneath and around solar panels on solar farms. Photo: Courtesy of Eric Steeves Eric Steeves says raising sheep on forages grown under thousands of acres of solar panels provided economic stability and perhaps even saved his family's. . Discover how solar grazing with sheep supports renewable energy, improves soil health, and benefits farmers, as practiced by the American Grassfed Association producers. Within this field, solar grazing, specifically with sheep, is emerging as a particularly promising approach, offering benefits for landowners. .
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