Avangrid, a member of the Iberdrola Group, has teamed up with a fifth-generation Oregon rancher to graze sheep on two solar farms in Oregon and Washington, launching what is likely the largest “sun grazing” operation in the region. Solar grazing is a vegetation management method used at solar energy facilities that uses grazing livestock, such as sheep, instead of machinery. Sheep are effective at limiting the growth of weeds and vegetation, reducing the risk of wildfires and replacing the use of gas-powered machinery.
Avangrid began this effort last year with a pilot project at Pachwáywit Fields, Oregon’s largest operating solar farm in Gilliam County, which serves Portland General Electric’s Green Future Impact participants. In the spring, Avangrid expanded the pilot to a full solar meadow operation on the Pachwáywit fields. Avangrid also launched a similar operation at its Lund Hill solar farm in Klickitat County, Washington, the state’s largest operating solar facility. At its peak in the spring there were more than 5,000 sheep spread across both facilities.
“Avangrid is one of the most sustainable companies in the world and this is yet another example of how our hardworking teams take an innovative approach to solving complex problems,” said Pedro Azagra, CEO of Avangrid. “These sheep are not only a more environmentally friendly solution to managing vegetation, but also help us support the local community and contribute to a circular economy in the Pacific Northwest.”
The sheep at these locations are owned by Cameron Krebs, a fifth-generation Oregon rancher who sells wool and lamb. Krebs and his family have worked with Oregon-based Pendleton Woolen Mills for more than a century, supplying wool fibers to the mill and clothing manufacturer.
“There has been a significant learning curve, but it is fascinating to watch the sheep learn to skillfully move under and around the solar panels to eat the vegetation,” says Krebs. “They consume four to five pounds of dry matter per day. Another way to think about that is that they use four to five pounds of carbon and convert it into food and fiber, or return it to the soil naturally. By reducing overall vegetation on the property, we significantly reduce fuel loads and fire hazards as we head into the hot, dry summer.”
“They’re constantly eating,” said Dustin Ervin, Avangrid’s senior solar manager for Oregon and Washington. “The sheep maneuver around our solar panels better than the large mowing equipment we used to use, and they eat right up to the panels. We are proud to have taken this from concept to reality and I look forward to seeing renewable energy companies begin to forge sustainable partnerships like the ones we built with Cameron.”
“Creating world-class products starts with healthy sheep providing the best wool possible,” said Keith Stonelake, wool buyer for Pendleton Woolen Mills. “The Krebs family has been one of our trusted wool growers for almost 100 years and we are pleased with the collaboration between the Krebs and Avangrid.”
Avangrid will continue to use sheep on both the Pachwáywit Fields and Lund Hill for the foreseeable future, managing vegetation during the peak growing seasons of spring and autumn. The company is considering opportunities to expand solar grazing at other solar facilities within its portfolio.
News item from Avangrid
