How Sheep and Sunshine are Transforming American Agriculture and Energy 

In this episode of Good Energy, Stacie Peterson, Executive Director of the American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA), discusses agrivoltaics: the practice of co-locating solar energy and agriculture on the same parcels of land.

The vegetation within a solar installation needs to be managed, and animals like sheep, cattle, and bees as well as crops help to healthily manage that vegetation. ASGA is a farmer-founded trade association with 1,200-plus members that represents both solar grazing service providers and solar companies. Peterson makes the business case for solar grazing as a stable source of income both for the landowners who can lease out their land to energy companies as well as for the livestock owners who can grow their flocks while being paid for their animals to manage the vegetation at the solar site. The practice is also beneficial to the managers of the solar installation who can save on landscaping costs.

Peterson mentions how the farmers tapping into solar grazing are a diverse group that includes both young farmers excited about the opportunities as well as older farmers looking for a steady source of income. On the side of the solar companies, ASGA just began a certification to help them prepare to welcome grazing livestock onto solar sites.

Some rural communities have expressed concern about solar installations taking away from traditional agricultural practices, but Peterson prefers to flip the narrative and instead argues that through agrivoltaics, farmers have the opportunity to preserve farming on solar sites. She recommends that farmers visit an operational agrivoltaics site to better see the benefits and how solar and agriculture fit together. ASGA has become a popular mainstay at RE+ trade shows for the live sheep at their booth, who are helping tell the success story of American agrivoltaics to the show’s attendees.

From in-depth interviews with industry leaders to insightful discussions on the rapid growth of solar and storage in the United States, Good Energy connects you with the heartbeat of the solar industry. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just curious about the future of energy, tune in to stay informed and inspired about the bright future of solar. Listen to full episodes on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.