this post was submitted on 29 Sep 2025
113 points (98.3% liked)

Solarpunk Farming

2874 readers
68 users here now

Farm all the things!

Also see:

founded 4 years ago
MODERATORS
 

More than 130,000 acres of solar farms across 500 sites in the United States were grazed by livestock in 2024, according to the American Solar Grazing Association. Sheep on solar farms do not typically interfere with solar infrastructure, and they’re small enough to easily get under most panel arrays. The panels offer shelter from storms and shade during heatwaves. There are, however, some “knowledge gaps” in the world of solar grazing, according to a 2025 study, which considers how the practice may affect local native biodiversity and parasite exposure.

top 8 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] MonkderVierte@lemmy.zip 1 points 3 days ago

Some farmers and researchers say that solar panels are good for livestock and crops.

Uhm, it's proven. Multiple times.

[–] aramis87@fedia.io 18 points 8 months ago (2 children)

We should have solar over irrigation ditches and parking lots

[–] Talaraine@fedia.io 11 points 8 months ago (1 children)

And rooftops. How about we make electricity and save it on A/C costs at the same time?

[–] Donk@slrpnk.net 8 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

are you TRYING to steal jobs from hardworking West Virginian six year-olds

[–] miked@sh.itjust.works 7 points 8 months ago

There are a few solar setups over irrigation canals. Some in California.

Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has many solar setups over parking lots. If I recall correctly the person originally in charge was a bit crazy. Several of the projects were less than ideal.

[–] FundMECFS@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 8 months ago (2 children)

For those like me who don’t know murican like me, 130k acres ~ 600 sq km

[–] MonkderVierte@lemmy.zip 1 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Or 1 acre is 40 Are.

[–] Pazintach@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 8 months ago

Thank you very much!