BUCKHOLTS, Texas — On the expansive fields of rural Texas, a lively group of sturdy sheep grazes beneath the vast array of solar panels, happily colliding with one another as they focus on their primary mission: munching on grass.
The expanding solar energy sector has found an unexpected ally in these sheep, as large-scale solar farms continue to emerge across the U.S., particularly in Texas. In Milam County, not far from Austin, SB Energy operates the nation’s fifth-largest solar farm, which has the capacity to generate 900 megawatts of power over a sprawling 4,000 acres (1,618 hectares).
Managing the growth of foliage in these solar fields is effectively achieved with the assistance of approximately 3,000 sheep. These animals are more efficient than traditional lawnmowers as they can navigate tight spaces and graze in any weather condition.
The rise of sheep grazing on solar farms is indicative of a broader movement known as solar grazing, which has surged alongside the solar power industry. Agrivoltaics, a practice that combines solar energy generation with agricultural activities, is becoming increasingly popular, with over 60 solar grazing initiatives currently active in the United States, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The American Solar Grazing Association has reported that 27 states are now participating in this cooperative approach.
“The traditional reliance on gas-powered mowers rather contradicts the ethos of renewable energy,” noted James Hawkins, an asset manager at SB Energy.
Utilizing sheep for vegetation management also supports the struggling sheep and wool sector. Recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that the sheep population in Texas declined to 655,000 in January 2024, marking a 4% decrease from the prior year.
Because solar farms occupy sunny, flat terrains, which are often ideal for grazing livestock, there is opportunity for collaboration between solar energy providers and farmers, rather than conflict.
Sheep rancher JR Howard unexpectedly found himself at the heart of Texas’ accelerating shift towards clean energy. In 2021, he and his family began partnering with solar farms—areas densely populated with solar panels—to allow their sheep to manage the grass.
What began as a modest endeavor has transformed into a large-scale operation involving over 8,000 sheep and 26 staff members.
“The growth we’ve experienced has been quite astounding,” expressed Howard, who named his venture Texas Solar Sheep. “This opportunity has been beneficial for my family.”
Experts in agriculture suggest that Howard’s achievements showcase how solar farms can significantly aid ranchers. Reid Redden, a sheep farmer and vegetation manager in San Angelo, emphasized that successful sheep farming hinges on agricultural land, which is becoming increasingly hard to find.
“Solar grazing presents perhaps the most significant opportunity for the sheep industry in the United States in recent generations,” Redden remarked.
In rural areas of South Texas, where solar installations are prevalent, the community response to solar grazing has generally been supportive, Redden noted. “It helps to ease the transition associated with having a solar farm introduced into the area.”
Agrivoltaics is not a new concept. Solar farms demand extensive tracts of land that might otherwise be allocated for food production. Agrivoltaics facilitates the coexistence of energy production and agriculture, whether through crop cultivation or livestock management.
There remain many unanswered questions regarding the long-term implications of solar grazing, according to Nuria Gomez-Casanovas, an assistant professor specializing in regenerative system ecology at Texas A&M University. She stated that not enough research has been conducted to assess the environmental impacts, especially related to soil viability for future farming. Nonetheless, she speculates that solar grazing could enhance sheep productivity by providing them with shade and proving to be more economical than mechanical lawn care.
“We certainly have more inquiries than definitive answers,” Gomez-Casanovas commented. “Some studies indicate that land productivity is comparable whether it’s devoted solely to solar or agriculture; results are context-dependent.”
As one of the largest operators of solar sheep in Texas, Howard finds there to be a high demand for his services, with plans to expand his workforce by about 20 employees before the year’s end. As for the sheep, he has all the numbers he needs for now.
