“Agrivoltaics is the missing link in the whole system,” said Hudson Valley orchardist Elizabeth Ryan, describing a nascent practice that couples agriculture with solar-energy production. In Illinois, that link takes the form of sheep grazing beneath photovoltaic arrays a dual-use model now quietly reshaping both the lamb industry and the economics of solar farms.
Solar grazing is based on a very simple principle: sheep are deployed to manage vegetation under and around solar panels, replacing mechanical mowing and herbicides. In return, that creates an income stream for farmers from both livestock and grazing service contracts, while solar operators see their maintenance costs reduced, along with an improvement in site ecology. As Brooke Watson, a farmer from Illinois, explained, “There’s really a huge, huge potential for both of these industries to grow and evolve together side by side.” Her operation now manages 500 ewes across nine solar sites, producing local lamb alongside clean energy.
From an engineering standpoint, this suitability of sheep to such environments is not an accident. Unlike cattle, which could damage the panel structures, sheep are small and agile enough to move around supports without harming either themselves or the panels. Solar arrays designed for grazing often have elevated panels and durable perimeter fencing, leaving nearly 100% of the land available for grazing while providing shade that reduces heat stress and improves pasture moisture retention. Partial shading by the panels has been shown in various studies to increase grass yield and extend grazing seasons, while also cooling the panels themselves and boosting both their efficiency and service life.
This provides a huge opportunity for U.S. lamb producers to grow market share. Most of the lamb consumed in the country is presently imported from Australia and New Zealand. Demand has traditionally been seasonal, with spikes around Easter and strong demand from halal markets. However, retail data reveals a steady uptick in sales: lamb volume has risen 9.3%, and dollars have increased by 15.7% over recent years. Cuts such as ground lamb, shoulder chops, and boneless legs have become increasingly popular with budget-conscious shoppers, while more premium, locally sourced options have gained traction among affluent “foodie” and “green” consumer segments. Branding initiatives such as “Illinois Solar Lamb” connect these buyers with the sustainability story behind the product.
Direct-to-consumer marketing is key to profitability in solar grazing. Farmers’ markets, on-farm sales, and online platforms put the story of dual-use land management in front of consumers, building trust through transparency. Strategies for processing, such as sausage and stew production from lower-value cuts, add balance to carcass utilization. Clear labeling of attributes, such as “pasture raised” and “raised without antibiotics,” is important for these environmentally conscious buyers. Access to USDA-inspected facilities is critical to scaling such operations; partnerships with processors may ensure quality.
On the solar side, agrivoltaic system design is adapting to support livestock integration, with adjustable-tilt panels able to optimize light for pasture growth, provide hail protection, and manage microclimates. Cornell research has demonstrated that increasing panel height to 4 meters over crops can reduce panel temperatures by as much as 10°C relative to a bare ground condition, thereby increasing output. For grazing, industrial-scale arrays are generally most feasible, with configurations optimized for animal movement patterns and vegetation requirements.
Replacing parts of Illinois’ corn and soy acreage with sheep grazing under solar arrays has environmental benefits, too. A lot of the state’s corn goes to ethanol, and the soy is largely exported; putting the land to use to produce lamb and renewable energy keeps more food and energy local. Sheep grazing improves soil health through fertilization, promotes biodiversity by maintaining mixed pasture species, and leads to lower emissions compared to mechanical mowing.
This fact is further emphasized by economic modeling. A recent Canadian study estimated returns on investment in breeding ewes to be between 16 and 31% for agrivoltaic grazing, while buying lambs at auction can achieve up to 43% ROI well above the averages for the agricultural industry as a whole. The guaranteed revenue from grazing stabilizes farm income and makes entry into the business easier for younger or first-generation farmers. As more solar developers realize the value of incorporating livestock, best practices are becoming standardized.
The American Solar Grazing Association provides certifications and contract templates, while groups like American Farmland Trust promote “smart solar” principles that ensure projects meet both energy and agricultural needs. If done well, with policy support and the right consumer buy-in, solar grazing could become a hallmark of sustainable land management-producing local food and clean power from the same acre.
