07/31/2024 | Press release | Archived content
Have you seen sheep grazing around solar arrays and wondered if they just wandered there by accident? It's no accident, and you'll likely see more sheep grazing. Why?
It's a win-win for local landowners, solar project owners and the environment.
"I can't wait to use our dual-purpose land to grow meat and wool under the solar panels that are producing clean energy," said Olivia Halbur, a fourth-generation family farm owner.
Here are some reasons why more sheep are grazing at solar projects around the country:
It's easy to see why this is becoming a more common practice in Wisconsin and Iowa, and another way energy companies can sustainably assist with the transition to a more diverse energy mix.
The Ledgeview Solar Project near Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, will have a flock of five dozen Texel sheep, known for being docile, stocky and lean, grazing the pasture beneath the panels.
Currently, the American Solar Grazing Association estimates the 80,000 sheep graze at roughly 500 solar projects across 27 states. Wisconsin and Iowa are starting to experiment with sheep grazing, as well as other agrivoltaics research.
Learn more about our progress at alliantenergy.com/cleanenergyblueprint.