Episode 216. Sheep and the Sun: Solar Grazing with Lexie Hain

This week’s episode of Voices from the Field takes a look at solar grazing, the practice of using livestock to manage the vegetation under solar panels. Sheep are widely considered the best animal for solar grazing, and they are being used in many countries with great success.

National Center for Appropriate Technology Livestock Specialist Linda Coffey talks with Lexie Hain, a co-founder of the American Solar Grazing Association. Lexie, who began grazing sheep at solar arrays in 2016, talks about how she began solar grazing and offers practical tips for anyone who is considering the practice.

With agricultural land in high demand and requirements to expand renewable energy, using land for agriculture and energy at the same time is better for the environment, the solar company, the farmers, and the sheep.

ATTRA Resources:

• Sheep and Goats

Other Resources:

• AgriSolar Clearinghouse
• American Solar Grazing Association
• Agrivoltaic Solutions

Contact Linda Coffey via email at lindac@ncat.org.

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