Farmers find new revenue by grazing sheep beneath solar panels

West Texas farmers are adopting "solar grazing," using sheep to manage vegetation under solar panels, providing income amid volatile agricultural markets.

Samuel Gilbert reports for The Washington Post.

In short:

Solar grazing involves using sheep to control vegetation at solar farms, reducing the need for mowers and herbicides.
Texas farmer Chad Raines now manages sheep at multiple solar sites, benefiting from stable contracts with energy companies.
Solar grazing is part of the growing agrivoltaics industry, which combines agriculture with renewable energy production.

Key quote:

“The most existential threat to our industry is not global pandemics, it’s not who is in the White House, it’s not supply chain issues or the war in Ukraine. It’s local opposition, all centered around land-use questions.”

— Matt Beasley, chief commercial officer for Silicon Ranch Corp., a solar energy company

Why this matters:

Agrivoltaics offers a sustainable solution to two major challenges: the demand for renewable energy and the need to support struggling farmers. It also helps improve soil health and biodiversity while contributing to emissions reduction efforts.

www.washingtonpost.com

Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda

For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.

Farmers find new revenue by grazing sheep beneath solar panels

Massive storm Helene poses catastrophic risks across the Southeast

Southern California faces a growing wildfire threat but remains unprepared

Chicago’s Latino neighborhoods fight for more parks to combat climate change

Fossil fuel lobbyists helped push anti-protest laws nationwide

Why Michael Regan backed down on environmental justice promises

EU avoids enforcing fines despite numerous environmental violations by member states

Young voters question Kamala Harris' climate stance as election nears

LISTEN: Mokshda Kaul on making the clean energy transition work for all

“Coalitions become this interesting way to create buy-in.”

Op-ed: Is plastic the biggest climate threat?

A plastics treaty for the climate and health must address overproduction of plastics and head off the petrochemical and plastic industry’s planned expansion.

Residents say Pennsylvania has failed communities after state studies linked fracking to child cancer

Last year Pennsylvania Department of Health studies showed increased risk of childhood cancer, asthma and low birth weights for people living near fracking. Advocates say not enough has been done since.

The fossil fuel industry is disproportionately harming low-income and minority women: Report

“Women, in all of their diversity, must be at the center of climate and energy decision-making.”

Op-ed: People need shelter from climate change — their health hangs in the balance

The discourse on climate resilience must include affordable housing policy solutions.

As Biden prepares to block the sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel, pollution concerns persist in Pennsylvania

“Pennsylvania steel communities have lived with dangerous air quality for generations. That needs to end.”