SHEEP MOWERS FOR RENT!! U.S. Farmers Turn to Sheep as Solar Site Lawn Mowers

Across the United States, farmers facing economic strain are finding an innovative lifeline: renting out sheep to manage vegetation at solar energy sites. This shift, dubbed "solar grazing," is transforming both the agricultural and renewable energy landscapes, offering a sustainable solution to slumping crop prices and rising solar farm maintenance costs.

Take Chad Raines, a fourth-generation Texas farmer, who last year abandoned cotton planting due to persistently low prices. Instead, he turned his attention to his flock of sheep, ferrying them to solar farms to graze beneath sprawling arrays of panels. The deals he struck with solar companies flipped a potential $200,000 loss into a $300,000 profit, blending grazing fees with lamb meat sales. “Cotton prices have been terrible for so long, I had to do something different,” Raines said. His story reflects a broader trend as U.S. farmers grapple with soaring debt and unpredictable markets.

Solar grazing has surged in popularity, with sheep now tending over 129,000 acres of solar sites nationwide—up from just 15,000 acres in 2021, according to the American Solar Grazing Association. The practice benefits both farmers and solar operators. Sheep efficiently trim grass in tight spaces where mowers struggle, reducing fossil fuel use and panel damage from debris. For farmers, payments of $300 to $500 per acre provide a steady income stream, often outpacing traditional farming profits.

The environmental upside is notable too. Sheep grazing supports soil health, boosting carbon capture and biodiversity with native plants thriving under panels that offer shade and shelter. In Texas, JR Howard’s Texas Solar Sheep operation has grown from 400 to over 8,000 sheep since 2021, meeting demand from massive solar projects like SB Energy’s 4,000-acre farm near Austin.

However, challenges loom. Policy shifts, like potential cuts to clean energy incentives, could slow solar expansion, capping opportunities for graziers. Still, experts like Reid Redden see solar grazing as “the biggest opportunity for the sheep industry in generations,” revitalizing a sector long in decline. For now, this marriage of agriculture and renewable energy is proving a win-win, keeping farmland productive while powering a greener future.