Source: Daily Galaxy
A three-year study at the Wellington Solar Farm in New South Wales, Australia, has shown that integrating sheep grazing with solar panel installations—an approach known as agrivoltaics—can benefit both renewable energy production and animal welfare. Conducted by Lightsourcebp, EMM Consulting, and Elders Rural Services, the experiment involved 1,700 merino sheep, comparing those grazing in traditional pastures to those roaming among solar panels.
The results revealed that solar panels provided natural shade and shelter, helping sheep cope with extreme weather and improving soil moisture, which led to higher-quality forage. Sheep in the solar fields appeared healthier, with better wool growth and reduced parasite issues. These findings were echoed by a French study from INRAE, which also reported improved thermal comfort and forage availability for grazing sheep. Together, these studies support agrivoltaics as a promising dual-use land strategy that promotes sustainability, reduces maintenance costs, and improves livestock well-being on solar farms.