The Power of Sheep: Grazing Towards a Clean Energy Future

At Longroots Ranch, our animals do more than just graze pasture—they improve soil health, increase biodiversity, and now, help manage vegetation at a solar array. It’s all part of an emerging practice of solar grazing, and it’s reshaping how we think about the role of livestock in a climate-resilient clean energy future.

Solar Grazing as Agrivoltaics

Solar grazing involves using livestock to manage the vegetation under and around solar panels. Instead of relying on fossil fuel-intensive mowing or herbicides, solar companies partner with ranchers like us to manage the grasses and plants around solar panels with ruminants.

It's one of the most scalable examples of agrivoltaics—the integration of agriculture and solar energy production on the same piece of land. By stacking uses, we can make the most of every acre.

Why It Matters to Us

We started Longroots Ranch with a mission to heal degraded land through agriculture. It's critical to us that the practices we use give more to the land than they take.

Solar grazing fits right in. When our flock grazes a solar array, we’re not just keeping the grass in check—we’re building organic matter in the soil, cycling nutrients, reducing fire risk, and boosting plant diversity. All while supporting local clean energy.

And the sheep? Sheep are particularly suited for this job due to their agility, non-destructive nature, and efficient grazing habits. They love it because the shade from the solar panels gives them shelter on hot Colorado days. The pasture is full of forage, and the array is fenced in from predation. Overall, it’s a low-stress environment for our herd.

Learning in the Array

Like everything in regenerative ranching, solar grazing involves a LOT of learning and adapting. Implementing holistic planned grazing inside solar arrays comes with unique challenges. We’re figuring out how we move temporary fencing efficiently around panel infrastructure, how to best deliver water to sheep in temporary paddocks, and how to move sheep in a way that works with both the land and the array's layout. These aren’t insurmountable problems—they’re just new ones.

We're learning how to balance infrastructure constraints with ecological outcomes, while keeping both the sheep and the land thriving. It’s not just about being “sustainable.” It’s about being regenerative—creating an ecosystem that's healthier and more resilient over time.

At Longroots Ranch, that means:

• Raising animals that improve the land they graze

• Working with local solar farms to reduce fossil fuel use

• Providing our community with nutrient-dense meat raised in harmony with nature

Ready to join the flock?

Join our newsletter for updates on lamb shares, solar grazing projects, and more.

SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER