Agrivoltaics is becoming the next big concept in the solar world. A few days ago, we featured a story about an IIT alumnus doing agrivoltaic kheti by growing crops under solar panels. And now, a new project in Australia has taken it one step ahead, with 1,700 merino sheep grazing under solar panels and helping improve wool quality in the process.
A team of researchers at the Wellington Solar Farm in New South Wales partnered with companies like Lightsourcebp, EMM Consulting, and Elders Rural Services to observe how sheep behave and perform when placed in a solar-powered environment.
Over three years, they studied two groups: one that grazed in regular grassland, and another that roamed around and under solar panels.
The results, published in early 2025, surprised everyone: the sheep living among solar panels had stronger, cleaner, and in some cases, faster-growing wool.
Before you make any decision, we will tell you the reason why? The shade provided by the solar panels helps sheep stay cooler and reduces heat stress, which is known to affect wool production. Also, shaded areas keep the soil moist, improve the grass quality, and cut down on dust, which keeps the wool cleaner.
But that’s not all. These sheep also reduce the need for machines or herbicides to clear weeds around solar panels, acting as natural lawnmowers. It’s a win-win situation for both the farmers and solar panel operators.
However, while the study shows strong potential, experts also caution that agrivoltaic setups should be planned based on local climates and farming needs. It’s not one-size-fits-all.
Still, this project makes one thing clear: in the coming years, if farmland is used for solar installations, it doesn’t mean cattle or sheep can’t graze there. They can not only coexist, but also do so more smoothly, while even improving the quality of the land and produce.
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