What started in 2018 as a small trial with just 30 sheep has grown into a commercial operation that now manages vegetation around thousands of solar panels across the American Northeast. The couple’s business has grown from its first flock of 30 sheep to 500 sheep managing vegetation across 1,500 acres of solar sites, according to a case study published by the American Solar Grazing Association. Husband-and-wife farmers Lewis Fox and Niko Kochendoerfer founded Agrivoltaic Solutions LLC in Vermont. They developed a model that uses livestock instead of mechanical mowers to control grass and weeds around solar energy sites. The operation shows how farming and renewable energy can work together. The model can provide steady income for regional livestock producers while lowering maintenance costs for energy companies.
Solar grazing keeps maintenance spending within local farming communities, according to research noted by the American Solar Grazing Association. For traditional livestock farmers, finding affordable pasture and keeping income steady can be ongoing challenges. Land rental costs, changing meat prices, and seasonal weather changes can all reduce the profits of family farms. Combining sheep farming with solar sites offers another option by turning maintenance budgets into farm income. Instead of farmers paying to rent land for grazing, solar developers pay farmers to maintain their sites. This shared-use model gives farmers access to stable, multi-year contracts. It also lets them grow their herds without having to buy more land. Instead of sending that money to commercial landscaping or mowing companies, utility operators pay regional livestock producers directly for the work. This approach can help small farms build stronger businesses. It also means land used for renewable energy can continue to support local agriculture.