Agrivoltaics: Studies Reveal That Sheep Grazing Between and Under Solar Panels Have Better Health and Wool

    Two recent studies undertaken to ascertain the effects of solar panels of large grid-scale solar farms on grazing sheep have revealed that the sheep grazing on the solar farms show improvement in wool quality and general health. I should point out that the improvements, though significant, were not drastic. However, these are still quite desirable outcomes.

     One study took place in 2022-2023 in France, and the other in Australia. In both studies, the main positive conclusions are 1) that the presence of the solar panels allowed the sheep to reduce heat stress. In the French study, this was measured by respiration rates, which are higher during stress; and 2) the shade provided by the panels resulted in higher nutritional quality forage under them due to that shade protecting the forage and retaining moisture under the panels. The coolness and moisture also led to less dust under them than in the open areas. Slight improvements in wool quality were also a result. The solar panels can also offer shelter to sheep. I know my goats that I kept for many years were quite averse to rain, trying to stay out of it as much as possible. Sheep are also averse to rain, but not as much as goats, according to my inquiry.  

     As an added benefit for the solar development company, the sheep can keep vegetation around the panels cleared, which results in lower maintenance costs. Both studies involved observing the sheep over extended periods of time. No negative health effects associated with the pales were observed, although the French study noted that noise levels around the inverters occasionally reaching 70dB were avoided by the sheep when making noise.

     Although I was unable to read the French study, I got a Microsoft CoPilot summary in English. It noted that there were no changes in the sheep’s cycle of 8 hours of grazing, 8 hours of ruminating, and 8 hours of resting. The sheep did, however, head to the shade of the panels when they got too hot. Thus, thermal comfort is desirable by the sheep. No differences were observed in parasite infestations and cleanliness levels from the control group. The CoPilot summary further notes:

·        Forage Quality & Availability: Grass height and density were greater under the panels compared to open areas. The forage in shaded zones contained more protein and was more digestible, making it beneficial for the sheep.

·        Climate Buffering: The presence of panels reduced the effect of frost in winter and extreme heat in summer, suggesting that solar farms could provide more stable grazing conditions year-round.

‘The study concludes that photovoltaic panels can serve as beneficial shelters for sheep, improving thermal comfort without negatively affecting health or grazing behavior. Modifications in herding practices and inverter placements could further optimize conditions.’

      The figure below shows the parameter values in the Australian study, and the picture below shows the contrast of shade and sun made by the solar panels, where the shaded areas are cooler and wetter, with less dust.

    

 

References:

 

Thousands of Sheep Grazing Under Solar Panels Experienced Unexpected Changes That Could Reshape Farming. Somdatta Maity. Front Page Detectives. May 30, 2025. Thousands of Sheep Grazing Under Solar Panels Experienced Unexpected Changes That Could Reshape Farming

1,700 Sheep Set Up Between Solar Panels Reveal an Incredible Transformation: Thousands of sheep grazing under solar panels are experiencing unexpected changes that could reshape farming. The surprising benefits go beyond simple shelter, hinting at something much bigger. Juliette Dubois. Daily Galaxy. May 20, 2025. 1,700 Sheep Set Up Between Solar Panels Reveal an Incredible Transformation

Wool quality and sustainability: Insights from Lightsource bp’s Wellington solar farm. Lightsourcebp. October 29, 2024. Wool quality and sustainability: Insights from Lightsource bp’s Wellington solar farm | Lightsource bp

Study confirms positive effects of photovoltaic panels on sheep grazing. French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE). April 25, 2024. Study confirms positive effects of photovoltaic panels on sheep grazing | INRAE

Rapport d’étude sur le bien-être animal – Centrale solaire de CVE à Bissey-sous-Cruchaud. Véronique DEISS, Chargée de Recherches bien-être animal, INRAE. COM - rapport étude bien etre animal INRAE CVE STATKRFAT v2_0.pdf