Sheep grazing replaces mowers at solar farms as 113,000 animals manage vegetation across 522,000 acres in the US
By Eve
Solar site operators are increasingly using livestock to control vegetation around panels, a practice known as solar grazing that became a commercial activity in 2018, according to the American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA). Data from ASGA and the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory show more than 113,000 sheep now graze across approximately 522,000 acres of solar sites, reducing reliance on mechanical mowing equipment and fossil fuel consumption. ASGA Executive Director Stacie Peterson expects the sector to continue growing, with sheep preferred for their size and ability to move easily between panel rows.
Why it matters
Site maintenance represents a significant operational cost for solar farm operators, and solar grazing offers a lower carbon alternative to mechanical vegetation management while enabling dual use of land. The approach could influence site design specifications and maintenance contracts as the practice scales beyond the US market.
Source
- Original title
- “Güneş enerjisi santrallerinde çim biçme makinelerinin yerini koyunlar alıyor”
- Published
- 21 October 2026
- Updated
- 22 October 2026
In this story
- Topic
- Grid & Energy
- Place
- Turkey
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