The Surprising Role of Sheep in America’s Clean Energy Boom
What if the key to solving one of our greatest environmental challenges—climate change—was quietly grazing in fields beneath solar panels? It may sound improbable, but the solution is already here, happening right beneath our feet. Picture this: thousands of acres of solar farms, panels soaking up the sun’s rays to power our homes, businesses, and cities. And beneath those panels, sheep are quietly doing the hard work, mowing the land in an eco-friendly way while supporting both the environment and local economies.
This is not a futuristic dream—it’s a rapidly growing practice known as solar grazing, and it’s transforming the renewable energy landscape in ways that benefit the planet, rural communities, and even the struggling U.S. sheep industry. Welcome to the world of agrivoltaics—where clean energy meets sustainable farming in an inspiring, surprising partnership.
Solar Grazing: A Harmony of Tradition and Innovation
Imagine a sprawling solar farm—4,000 acres of panels capturing sunlight to generate renewable energy. Yet, as the grass and weeds grow beneath the panels, a problem arises. The solution, historically, has been gas-powered mowers—a choice that ironically contradicts the very purpose of renewable energy. But what if sheep could take over this task? Enter the world of solar grazing.
Take Milam County, Texas, for example. One of the country’s largest solar farms sprawls across thousands of acres, generating 900 megawatts of clean energy. Instead of relying on gas-powered mowers, the farm employs a flock of 3,000 sheep to manage the land’s vegetation. These woolly workers are emissions-free, efficient, and perfectly suited for the job. Rain or shine, they graze beneath the panels, maintaining the land while helping to reduce the solar farm’s carbon footprint.
James Hawkins, an asset manager at SB Energy, puts it simply: “The industry tends to rely on gas-powered mowers, which kind of contradicts the purpose of renewables.” Sheep, on the other hand, are not only emissions-free but cost-effective, offering a perfect solution for vegetation management in the age of renewable energy.
A Lifeline for Struggling Farmers
While solar grazing offers significant environmental benefits, it also provides an economic lifeline to farmers and ranchers, especially in rural communities. In places like Texas, where traditional sheep farming has been in decline, solar grazing offers a new income stream. This innovative practice allows farmers to tap into the growing clean energy industry while continuing their agricultural work.
For JR Howard, a Texas-based sheepherder, solar grazing has transformed his family’s farm. In 2021, Howard began contracting his flock to solar farms, grazing his sheep beneath solar panels. What started as a small endeavor has rapidly grown into a thriving business—Texas Solar Sheep, with over 8,000 sheep and 26 employees. Howard reflects on the transformation: “Just the growth has been kind of crazy for us. It’s been great for me and my family.”
This partnership between solar companies and farmers is a win-win. It provides farmers with access to land and new revenue streams, while solar companies reduce costs and environmental impact. In essence, solar grazing is helping to sustain both the agricultural and energy sectors, creating a symbiotic relationship that benefits all involved.
A Boon for Rural Communities
When large-scale solar farms are introduced in rural areas, there is often skepticism. Communities may worry about the impact on local economies, land use, and traditional farming. However, solar grazing has helped shift this perception, softening the blow and making solar energy projects more palatable.
In South Texas, for example, where Reid Redden, a sheep farmer and solar vegetation manager, raises sheep for solar sites, the practice has been embraced. “I think it softens the blow of the big shock and awe of a big solar farm coming in,” Redden explains. “It shows that renewable energy projects can coexist with and even enhance local agriculture.”
In rural communities across the country, solar grazing provides more than just an alternative to fossil fuel-powered mowers. It creates jobs, revitalizes local economies, and helps rural areas thrive in the face of challenges posed by declining agricultural revenues. By embracing solar energy and agrivoltaics, these communities are paving the way for a future that blends tradition and innovation.
The Science of Agrivoltaics: More Than Just Sheep Grazing
While the practical benefits of solar grazing are already apparent, the science behind agrivoltaics—combining solar energy production with agricultural practices—is still emerging. Solar grazing is just one form of agrivoltaics, but its potential to change the way we produce energy and grow food is immense. Early studies indicate that sheep may benefit from the shade provided by solar panels, which can help improve productivity and reduce heat stress.
Nuria Gomez-Casanovas, an assistant professor at Texas A&M University, highlights the promise of solar grazing but emphasizes the need for more research. “We really have more questions than answers,” she says. As solar grazing continues to grow, long-term studies will be crucial in understanding its full impact on soil health, biodiversity, and the agricultural ecosystem.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Like any new practice, solar grazing does face challenges. Not all solar farms are designed with livestock in mind, and the integration of grazing sheep requires thoughtful consideration of fencing, water access, and animal safety. There are also unknowns surrounding the long-term effects of grazing on soil quality and biodiversity. However, these challenges are outweighed by the vast opportunities for innovation and sustainability.
As the American Solar Grazing Association reports, over 60 solar grazing projects are already underway across 27 states. With the expansion of solar energy in the U.S., agrivoltaics is poised to play an increasingly critical role in reshaping both renewable energy and agricultural systems.
Looking Toward a Brighter, Greener Future
The future of solar grazing is bright. As more farmers and solar companies embrace this sustainable practice, we can expect to see even greater integration of renewable energy with agriculture. For ranchers like JR Howard, the growth of solar grazing has been both unexpected and empowering. And as the solar industry continues to expand, so too will the opportunities for agrivoltaics to revolutionize the future of energy and food production.
Solar grazing shows us that innovation doesn’t have to replace tradition—it can enhance it. By working together, we can create a future where clean energy, sustainable farming, and rural revitalization go hand in hand. And the best part? You can be part of this change.
What Can You Do?
The next time you see a solar farm, take a moment to imagine the flock of sheep grazing beneath the panels, quietly playing their part in the clean energy revolution. Whether you’re a consumer supporting renewable energy, a farmer exploring new revenue streams, or a policymaker shaping the future of clean energy, now is the time to embrace solutions that benefit both people and the planet.
Agrivoltaics is more than just an innovative solution—it’s a vision for a brighter, greener future. And it’s already here, grazing into view, one sheep at a time.
How can you contribute? Support clean energy initiatives in your community. Encourage your local farmers to explore solar grazing, and advocate for policies that support sustainable energy and agriculture. Share this story to spread the word—because every small action contributes to a larger movement toward a more sustainable world.