Vegetation management is essential to optimal performance of solar panels. Tall weeds and creeping vines compromise efficiency surprisingly quickly. Sheep provide a more effective, labor-efficient, and environmentally friendly method of vegetation control than mechanical mowing, string trimming, and herbicide use. In this model, a sheep producer is contracted to keep a flock at the site during the growing season.
Owens Farm provides this service for Susquehanna University’s solar array in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania.
Our flock can help with your solar project. Contact us at info@owensfarm.com. Consulting services available.
Solar panels provide shelter and shade to the flock while grazing
Acreage is subdivided to optimize the impact of grazing
Sheep thrive on plants that would otherwise grow tall
These vines were creeping up the inverter
The sheep nibbled the vines down to the roots, leaving the hardware untouched
Behind every flock is a good dog
Spring return
SOLAR DEVELOPERS: YOU'VE DECIDED TO USE SHEEP.....NOW WHAT?
STEP 1: FIND YOUR SHEPHERD!
Not everyone who owns sheep is willing or able to provide solar grazing services. It takes a lot of sheep (2-3.5 sheep per acre in the Northeast), time and labor caring for them during the grazing season, equipment on-site, and overwintering facilities. Many sheep owners are perfectly happy with their current state of affairs, and not looking to expand their responsibilities.
The answer may fall in your lap! If a sheep producer takes the initiative to reach out to you when they learn of your project, they are already your prime candidate. If they are already doing solar grazing, even better. That shepherd understands what is involved, is willing and able to take on another site, and can guide you through the process.
If you are not lucky enough to get a call from a shepherd, find out who is grazing other solar arrays in the vicinity of your project and contact them. They may not have known about your project or known who to contact, but be interested.
DO YOU KNOW ABOUT ASGA: AMERICAN SOLAR GRAZING ASSOCIATION
From best practices to where to find a sheep farmer, it's all there on the website. ASGA exists to support farmers and solar developers in using sheep to manage vegetation.
Follow This Link to ASGA Website
We were recently featured in our local TV news using sheep to graze a solar array.
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