Farming and energy – working side by side

Sheep grazing on solar farms is one of the most effective examples of agrivoltaics in action.

Agrivoltaics combines agriculture with solar electricity generation, enabling livestock to graze and crops to grow beneath and alongside solar panels.

It is common in the UK for solar farms to be developed on previously grazed land. To date, Lightsource bp has developed over 55 sites where sheep grazing has been implemented. We also manage, on behalf of third-party clients, more than 150 sites in all four nations of the UK. Under our management these sites total approximately 1.3GW.

A recent Guardian feature, highlighted how sheep farmers across the UK are expanding their flocks and strengthening their businesses thanks to partnerships with solar operators.

Emilien Simonot, Head of Agrivoltaics, EMEA, Lightsource bp said: “Not every site is suitable for solar grazing. But for those that are, it is a triple-win solution for the farming business, for renewables and for society”.

For farmers, the model offers a stable, low cost way to expand operations. For solar operators, sheep provide natural vegetation management, reducing the need for machinery and lowering carbon emissions. And for rural communities, the partnership supports both local agriculture and the transition towards renewable energy.

There’s no need to choose between using land for farming or for energy. With agrivoltaics we can have the best of both worlds.

🔗 Discover more about sheep on solar farms: Six reasons why solar farms make great grazing