This article examines the emerging practice of agrivoltaics in the United States, with a focus on the integration of solar energy production and sheep grazing. As the demand for both renewable energy and agricultural land increases, agrivoltaics offers a promising solution to maximize land use efficiency. This review synthesizes recent research on the economic, environmental, and social benefits of co-locating solar panels with sheep grazing operations in the US context.
Agrivoltaics, the practice of combining agriculture and solar photovoltaic (PV) energy production on the same land, is gaining traction in the United States as a way to address competing land use demands (Macknick). As of 2023, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory had identified 314 agrivoltaic projects across the country (U.S. Department of Energy, “Agrivoltaics: Solar and Agriculture Co-Location”). While agrivoltaics can involve various agricultural activities, sheep grazing has emerged as one of the most popular and promising applications in North America (Pascaris et al.).
Benefits for Solar Energy Production: Integrating sheep grazing with solar installations provides several advantages for PV system operators:
- Vegetation management: Sheep effectively control vegetation growth around and under solar panels, reducing the need for mechanical mowing or herbicide use (Perch Energy).
- Improved panel efficiency: By keeping vegetation short, sheep help prevent shading of panels that could reduce energy output (Perch Energy).
- Lower operations and maintenance costs: Using sheep for vegetation control can be more cost-effective than traditional landscaping methods (U.S. Department of Energy, “The Potential of Agrivoltaics”).
Benefits for Agriculture: Sheep farmers also stand to gain from agrivoltaic partnerships:
- Access to land: In regions where grazing land is scarce or expensive, solar sites provide additional pasture for sheep (Pascaris et al.).
- Shelter and shade: Solar panel structures offer protection for sheep from harsh weather conditions (Perch Energy).
- Diversified income: Farmers can earn revenue from both wool/meat production and payments for vegetation management services (U.S. Department of Energy, “The Potential of Agrivoltaics”).
Environmental Benefits: Agrivoltaic systems combining solar and sheep grazing offer several environmental advantages:
- Increased land use efficiency: By producing both food and energy on the same parcel, agrivoltaics helps preserve undeveloped land (Oregon State University).
- Improved soil health: Sheep grazing can enhance soil organic matter and nutrient cycling (Pascaris et al.).
- Reduced carbon footprint: A life cycle analysis found that integrated sheep-solar systems had lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to separate sheep farming and solar production (Andrew et al.).
Social and Economic Benefits: Agrivoltaic projects involving sheep can provide broader community benefits:
- Rural economic development: These projects create new revenue streams and job opportunities in agricultural communities (U.S. Department of Energy, “The Potential of Agrivoltaics”).
- Preserved agricultural character: By maintaining active farming alongside solar development, agrivoltaics can help preserve rural landscapes and heritage (U.S. Department of Energy, “The Potential of Agrivoltaics”).
- Increased social acceptance: Combining familiar agricultural practices with solar energy may improve public perception and acceptance of large-scale solar projects (Pascaris et al.).
Challenges and Research Needs: While agrivoltaics shows promise, several challenges remain:
- Optimal system design: Further research is needed to determine the best configurations of solar panels and grazing areas for different climates and sheep breeds (National Renewable Energy Laboratory).
- Economic viability: More data is required on the long-term economic performance of integrated sheep-solar systems across diverse contexts (Pascaris et al.).
- Policy and regulatory frameworks: Clear guidelines and incentives for agrivoltaic projects are still developing in many states (U.S. Department of Energy, “The Potential of Agrivoltaics”).
Conclusion: Agrivoltaics, particularly the integration of sheep grazing with solar energy production, offers a promising approach to address land use conflicts and maximize the benefits of both renewable energy and agriculture in the United States. As research continues and more projects are implemented, the synergies between solar power and sheep farming are likely to become increasingly apparent and valuable.
References
Andrew, Allison C., et al. “Greener Sheep: Life Cycle Analysis of Integrated Sheep Agrivoltaic Systems.” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition, vol. 2, 2022, p. 100358.
Macknick, Jordan. “Growing Plants, Power, and Partnerships Through Agrivoltaics.” National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 14 Apr. 2022, www.nrel.gov/news/program/2022/growing-plants-power-and-partnerships.html.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory. “Agrivoltaics.” Solar Market Research and Analysis, www.nrel.gov/solar/market-research-analysis/agrivoltaics.html. Accessed 17 Apr. 2023.
Oregon State University. “Largest Agrivoltaic Research Project in U.S. Advances Renewable Energy While Empowering Local Farmers.” Solar Power World, 8 June 2021, www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2021/06/largest-agrivoltaic-research-project-in-u-s-advances-renewable-energy-while-empowering-local-farmers/.
Pascaris, Alexis S., et al. “Integrating Solar Energy with Agriculture: Industry Perspectives on the Market, Community, and Socio-Political Dimensions of Agrivoltaics.” Energy Research & Social Science, vol. 75, 2021, p. 102023.
Perch Energy. “Agrivoltaics Explained: Farming With Solar Panels (And Sheep!).” Perch Energy Blog, www.perchenergy.com/blog/industry/what-is-agrivoltaics-solar-agriculture-farming. Accessed 17 Apr. 2023.
U.S. Department of Energy. “Agrivoltaics: Solar and Agriculture Co-Location.” Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, www.energy.gov/eere/solar/agrivoltaics-solar-and-agriculture-co-location. Accessed 17 Apr. 2023.
U.S. Department of Energy. “The Potential of Agrivoltaics for the U.S. Solar Industry, Farmers, and Communities.” Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, 17 Apr. 2023, www.energy.gov/eere/solar/articles/potential-agrivoltaics-us-solar-industry-farmers-and-communities.