U.S. farmers are discovering the benefits of keeping sheep on solar farm sites, a practice that has been long established in Europe. Grazing sheep under solar panels has been shown to improve soil quality. The significant decline of the US sheep sector from 50 million sheep in 1947 to a population of 5 million today has led local farmers to embrace any solution that can strengthen the industry.

U.S. farmer Sheepherder JR Howard has started to work with solar farms by leasing out his sheep. The project quickly grew and the company „Texas Solar Sheep” is successfully expanding. The farmer has 8,000 sheep.

Grazing sheep under solar panels opens up new opportunities for combining electricity generation with agriculture. This model increases yields and reduces the cost of maintenance work.

In Europe, the idea of a solar module and sheep grazing has become the norm, for example Iberdrola in Portugal has installed a flock of 300 sheep in its photovoltaic park.

In the UK, a project is underway where 1600 hectares are grazed by 4,000 sheep and is expected to save as much as £5 million in haying costs over 40 years.

Sheep grazing under solar modules not only harvest grass, but the module panels also provide shade for the sheep and increase soil moisture, which affects grass quality and soil health. This technology successfully contributes to carbon storage in the soil.