In new agrivoltaics vision, Australia solar farm integrates sheep

A 720-MW Australian solar farm is pioneering a model of agrivoltaics with livestock integration by playing host to more than 6,000 sheep, PV Magazine reported on Tuesday.

ACEN Australia’s New England solar project, located in the state of New South Wales, holds 20 square kilometres of land where sheep graze among the massive solar installation – a practice the company refers to as “solar grazing.”

As of last week, the sheep had begun six-week grazing rotations at the project’s 12-square-kilometre Stage 1 site.

Agrivoltaics, also known as dual-use solar or solar-agriculture co-location, has been gaining traction as a way to preserve vital food-producing land while deploying renewables.

Land scarcity is frequently cited as a barrier to building solar installations, with some island countries eyeing offshore floating options and one Canadian province even introducing regulations to protect high-yield land.

Richard Munsie, a landholder involved in the New England project, said the microclimate created by the panels was ideal for sheep grazing.

“They shade the early morning pastures which prolongs the effects of the dew. That helps the grass grow. And the panels also give shade to sheep and protection from frosts,” he said.

In a press release, ACEN said the company was still assessing the impact of co-locating grazing with its solar project, but early results were positive and the number of sheep could be expanded.