Sheep Grazing in Solar Fields: A Win-Win for Farmers and Ecology
Sheep grazing in solar fields offers farmers economic and ecological gains, as highlighted in two recent research papers from Cornell University.
By Krisy Gashler (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences)
October 14, 2026
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Two new studies delve into the benefits of grazing sheep in fields with solar arrays:
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One study reveals that sheep grazing, at the right density (two sheep per hectare), increases populations of beneficial insects like bees and lady beetles compared to mowing around solar panels. Surprisingly, the research found an 83% increase in honey bee populations alone.
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The other study introduces a decision-making support tool to guide farmers in profitably growing herds for solar grazing.
"Sheep grazing and beneficial insect habitat are interconnected aspects of sustainable solar development," notes Leana Zoller, lead author of the first study. "Integrating these discussions into a single framework is beneficial to both farmers and community decision-makers."
The research was conducted at Cornell's Cascadilla Community Solar Farm in Dryden, New York, and involved testing various sheep stocking rates over three years. Key findings:
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Four sheep per hectare resulted in beneficial insect abundance similar to the mowed control site, while vegetation management was more effective.
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Two sheep per hectare showed the best balance between vegetation management and beneficial insect abundance.
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Eight sheep per hectare maximized vegetation management but negatively impacted honey bee populations.
These findings offer practical guidance for farmers considering solar grazing, contributing to both sustainable agriculture and ecologically friendly solar development.