Building photovoltaic panels on the sheep shed

Are solar panels good for sheep?

Sheep living in pasture with solar panels benefit from shade in hot weather and more nutritious grass – and they stop weeds from growing on the panels Sheep living among rows of solar panels spend more time grazing, benefit from more nutritious food, rest more and appear to experience less heat stress, compared with nearby sheep in empty fields.

Could sheep graze with solar panels?

As such, having sheep graze alongside solar panels could be a bit of a growth sector—and not just for meat, as sheep also produce wool and milk. Schmit noted that, although the US doesn’t currently consume much sheep’s meat, the domestic market is growing. Raising the livestock in the US could also bolster local economies.

Can photovoltaic solar power Merino sheep?

Over 515 hectares, merino sheep graze happily amongst photovoltaic solar panels. Those panels feed 255,000 megawatt hours of energy into the grid every year, the equivalent of powering 51,000 homes. Lisa Stiebel, Head of Communications and Engagement for Neoen Australia, describes it as a win-win solution for both farming and clean energy.

Are sheep better than goats on solar farms?

There are a few reasons sheep are the superior choice for grazing on solar farms. For one, they are shorter than cows and horses. They will also eat most kinds of forage, which helps keep plant growth at bay. Goats, on the other hand, will chew pretty much anything, which is a bit of a risk on solar farms.

Why are solar panels a problem for utility-scale solar farms?

Likewise, solar panels function less efficiently when the temperature is high. This can be a problem for utility-scale solar farms. Putting clusters of solar panels on large areas of cleared land creates a “heat island,” raising nearby air temperatures. This, in turn, hampers the panels’ performance.

How does agrivoltaics affect agriculture?

Putting the two together—83% as much solar power and 103% as many potatoes—makes the land 186% as productive. Agrivoltaics maximizes the potential of solar energy in two ways. First, it improves the performance of solar panels in hot regions. This means solar farms can get more energy out of the same number of panels.