Agrivoltaics in Wisconsin: Grazing sheep and solar energy

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According to a recent Capital Times article [2], the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has approved 4,176 megawatts of solar projects, encompassing over 29,000 acres.

Though there are not enough sheep in Wisconsin to graze 29,000 acres of proposed agrivoltaic projects, Extension SARE Coordinator Diane Mayerfeld predicts farmers, armed with research, could also use the shade from solar panels to reduce heat stress in dairy cows or to cultivate more shade-tolerant crops.

Read the full article at CapTimes.com
The image shows a field of sheep grazing under a large solar panel array. The solar panels appear to be mounted on a raised platform, providing shade and shelter for the sheep below. The sheep are white in color and appear to be lambs or young sheep. The background features a scenic landscape with rolling hills and a cloudy sky. This image highlights the integration of solar energy production and agricultural land use, also known as agrivoltaics, demonstrating how renewable energy sources can be implemented in a way that supports and complements traditional farming practices. The solar panels provide clean energy while also offering a shaded and protected area for the sheep to graze, creating a mutually beneficial arrangement.

What is Agrivoltaics?

Agrivoltaics is the dual use of land for solar energy production and agriculture. [1]

References

  1. (“Agrivoltaics,” n.d.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agrivoltaics
  2. Schleis, J. (2024, April 3). How sheep could be a key to Wisconsin’s solar energy future The Capital Times. https://captimes.com/news/how-sheep-could-be-a-key-to-wisconsin-s-solar-energy-future/article_30af9196-f10c-11ee-85fa-0f4a9f5f8a7e.html
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