In 2019, New York farmer Erica Frenay sent 59 sheep to graze at a solar farm for five months; she earned $2,325 while allowing her own pasture to recover

Every year, many farmers find themselves faced with the same task of trying to find enough land, time, and resources to maintain their livestock in good condition. However, in upstate New York, Erica Frenay found out that her sheep could graze on a completely unusual site, which was not a typical pasture. Instead of being confined only to her farm, 59 sheep were grazing under solar panels for five months during the season, thus turning the energy farm into temporary pasture for her flock. This allowed for the creation of an unusual collaboration of agriculture and energy, in which the solar farm obtained a natural weed management tool, while Frenay got paid extra and did not put pressure on her own land. The Cornell Small Farms Program states that Erica Frenay of Shelterbelt Farm leased 25 lambs and 34 ewes to a solar grazing project in 2019 and earned a total of $2,325 for the season. The flock grazed at the solar site from roughly May to late September.

When sheep became part of a solar farm’s maintenance plan

The concept behind solar grazing was straightforward; solar panels required open space, but the vegetation growing under and around the solar panels had to be managed. In the past, solar farms have used methods such as mowing to avoid having vegetation interfere with the panels. However, the use of sheep provided an alternative that could benefit both energy firms and farmers.


Frenay’s Shelterbelt Farm, situated in New York, already used sheep for farming. Solar grazing made it possible for her sheep to graze at a solar farm where they would feed on the vegetation while helping maintain the land around the panels. Contrary to the ordinary pasture lease, the deal introduced a new source of agricultural income for Frenay. She had no need to acquire more land or enlarge the size of her farm in order to boost her earnings. Rather, her livestock became an integral part of a renewable energy system.

The payment structure depended on the number of animals delivered. The 25 lambs received $25 each, whereas the 34 ewes were compensated at $50 each for the season. In total, the money amounted to $2,325. The solar energy firm was responsible for transporting the animals to and fro and overseeing the flock while grazing.

A new way to combine farming and renewable energy

For farmers, the main problem is getting the most out of the available piece of land. Solar power generation has raised a higher demand for open spaces since many areas are required for the implementation of this technology. There is a method called solar grazing, which makes it possible to get the most out of the land. Solar grazing allows for maintaining the vegetation under solar panels using animals like sheep, at the same time earning some extra money and connecting agriculture with renewable energy production.

Sheep are especially well-suited for this purpose as they are able to graze on the vegetation without causing any harm to the solar equipment. This is different from larger animals, which are more likely to damage the panels and wiring. The sheep grazing also decreases the use of fuel-consuming mowing machinery, which is environmentally friendly.

In the case of Frenay, there were other benefits of this arrangement apart from the money she received. By keeping the sheep away from her farm while the vegetation was growing, she was able to allow vegetation on her land to grow back.

The growing appeal of solar grazing

Solar grazing has become popular as more people try to find solutions that will enable them to reconcile the two concepts of renewable energy development and agriculture preservation. Solar grazing is a way of showing how these two can coexist. The solar grazers benefit since the animals act as natural vegetation control tools. The farmers benefit since they earn additional income without acquiring any more land. The livestock benefit since they have the opportunity to access cool shade under the solar panels during hot weather. This approach has prompted scientists and agricultural organizations to explore the best grazing techniques that can lead to better results for farmers, livestock, and energy producers. Cornell’s solar grazing research has examined how sheep numbers, vegetation growth, and animal health interact within solar arrays.

With the growth of solar farms, such collaboration may become more frequent in areas where the balance between land for farming and renewable energy production needs to be struck.

Beyond a single season of grazing

The future of agrivoltaics, which combines solar energy production with agricultural activities, may depend on these types of partnerships, where land serves multiple purposes instead of being dedicated to only one use. Scientists are also studying the role of solar grazing in terms of promoting biodiversity, improving soil quality, and boosting rural economies.

With increasing energy needs, the issue is not only how to build more solar panels, but also how to incorporate them into the existing landscape. The success of solar grazing implies that the next generation of renewable energy projects might be built not only on technology but on cooperation with nature.