Title: “Sheep and Pigs Join Forces Under the Sun: A Growing Trend in Solar Farming”
In the scorching heat, Janna Grier leaps out of her pickup truck to begin rearranging hoses, readying to fill water troughs for her flock of sheep. A flock of a thousand woolly grazers has taken up residence for their third summer at a solar farm located 40 kilometers east of Calgary. Their mission: to munch on weeds. Grier and her team are entrusted with managing the land, ensuring no vegetation grows tall enough to cast shadows on the nearly 110,000 solar panels spread across 130 hectares of prairie.
“We view weeds as a food source. Most are high in protein, and the sheep relish consuming them,” stated Grier, a seasoned farmer for 15 years. This summer, the flock has received new comrades with snub noses – eight female kunekune pigs from New Zealand. Grier leads the pigs to a fresh grazing spot, calling out, “Come on ladies,” as they follow behind her.
With the rise of large solar fields, the need for animals to aid in weed control has surged. This innovative practice, known as “agrivoltaics,” combines solar energy production with agriculture. Sheep are the primary agents of agrivoltaics, reducing the need for herbicides and mowing, which can damage solar panels.
“Over the next five to 10 years, we anticipate substantial solar development, presenting immense potential,” remarked Grier, as she erected a temporary fence for the animals. Researchers are exploring various animals and crops that can coexist beneath and between solar panels.
The integration of agriculture at solar sites is gaining traction, fostering harmony between renewable energy projects and traditional farming practices. Companies like Kiwetinohk Energy are reflecting on incorporating animals or crops on their solar fields to address landowner concerns and promote sustainable land use.
As the nation witnesses a surge in solar energy production, companies and researchers are uncovering novel possibilities to merge agriculture and renewable energy. Grier envisions expanding her farming endeavors with the growing number of solar fields in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
A new dawn of solar-powered agriculture is on the horizon, bridging the gap between sustainable energy initiatives and traditional farming methods. The blending of sheep, pigs, and solar panels signifies a transformative trend in the evolution of agrivoltaics, illuminating a bright future for the farming community.
For more captivating stories and updates, stay connected
In the scorching heat, Janna Grier leaps out of her pickup truck to begin rearranging hoses, readying to fill water troughs for her flock of sheep. A flock of a thousand woolly grazers has taken up residence for their third summer at a solar farm located 40 kilometers east of Calgary. Their mission: to munch on weeds. Grier and her team are entrusted with managing the land, ensuring no vegetation grows tall enough to cast shadows on the nearly 110,000 solar panels spread across 130 hectares of prairie.
“We view weeds as a food source. Most are high in protein, and the sheep relish consuming them,” stated Grier, a seasoned farmer for 15 years. This summer, the flock has received new comrades with snub noses – eight female kunekune pigs from New Zealand. Grier leads the pigs to a fresh grazing spot, calling out, “Come on ladies,” as they follow behind her.
With the rise of large solar fields, the need for animals to aid in weed control has surged. This innovative practice, known as “agrivoltaics,” combines solar energy production with agriculture. Sheep are the primary agents of agrivoltaics, reducing the need for herbicides and mowing, which can damage solar panels.
“Over the next five to 10 years, we anticipate substantial solar development, presenting immense potential,” remarked Grier, as she erected a temporary fence for the animals. Researchers are exploring various animals and crops that can coexist beneath and between solar panels.
The integration of agriculture at solar sites is gaining traction, fostering harmony between renewable energy projects and traditional farming practices. Companies like Kiwetinohk Energy are reflecting on incorporating animals or crops on their solar fields to address landowner concerns and promote sustainable land use.
As the nation witnesses a surge in solar energy production, companies and researchers are uncovering novel possibilities to merge agriculture and renewable energy. Grier envisions expanding her farming endeavors with the growing number of solar fields in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
A new dawn of solar-powered agriculture is on the horizon, bridging the gap between sustainable energy initiatives and traditional farming methods. The blending of sheep, pigs, and solar panels signifies a transformative trend in the evolution of agrivoltaics, illuminating a bright future for the farming community.
For more captivating stories and updates, stay connected
