Canadian Study Highlights Profitability of Grazing Sheep on Solar Farms

Western University professor Joshua M. Pearce wrote on The Conversation about a Canadian study that found “solar shepherds” grazing sheep under solar panels can earn incomes equivalent to doctors, senior engineers, or lawyers. The study evaluated grazing sheep on small solar projects (200 kilowatts) and large solar projects (465 megawatts). It also contrasted sheep breeding operations with purchase of lambs for grazing. All the scenarios the study investigated showed a massive profit for shepherds, according to Pearce. Not only that, but the agrivoltaic grazing arrangements benefited the sheep by keeping them cooler, the solar producers by keeping their sites weed-free, and the environment by reducing pesticide use.
Related ATTRA resource: AgriSolar Clearinghouse