Herdsmen invest in solar power project

Can solar grazing help farmers feed their flocks?

A herd of sheep move between rows of photovoltaic panels at the Azure Sky solar project in Haskell County, Tex. Solar grazing helps farmers feed their flocks while the expanding solar industry provides more clean energy to the grid.

Is grazing cattle under solar panels a good idea?

There is growing interest in grazing cattle underneath solar panels. This year, the Energy Department launched the Large Animal and Solar System Operations (LASSO) Prize, providing millions of dollars for research around solar development and cattle grazing.

Why do sheep walk between photovoltaic panels at Azure Sky?

Sheep walk between rows of photovoltaic panels at Azure Sky. Shade under the panels enhances the quality and quantity of forage while providing relief from heat for the livestock. Editing by Bronwen Latimer.

What is the most existential threat to the solar industry?

“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,” said Matt Beasley, chief commercial officer for Silicon Ranch Corp., a solar energy company. “It’s local opposition, all centered around land-use questions.”

Does the solar industry need a lot of land?

To meet these federally mandated climate goals, the solar industry requires land, and lots of it, but many rural and predominantly conservative areas remain unfriendly to renewable energy.