Leading the flock on clean energy: Grazing
sheep bring sustainable landscaping to MA solar arrays
WALTHAM,
Mass., July 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of
its commitment to deliver clean energy solutions that benefit the
long-term needs of customers and communities, National Grid
recently launched its first-ever solar grazing pilot at two
company-owned solar sites in Attleboro, Massachusetts.
The pilot – in partnership with Solar Shepherd, a
Massachusetts-based company
founded by a third-generation rancher – combines renewable energy
and agriculture by introducing sheep to feed on the plentiful
grasses that grow around ground-mounted solar panels, providing a
sustainable form of vegetation control.
The innovative partnership was the focus of a segment
by CBS Saturday Morning that aired July 8. Steve
Woerner, President, National Grid – New England, joined
co-host Dana Jacobson in
Attleboro to discuss National
Grid's growing relationship with solar grazing and how the company
is creating clean energy solutions that work for everyone.
Watch the CBS Saturday Morning segment on
solar grazing.
"The energy transition goes beyond investing in
infrastructure—it's also about investing in the people we serve
every day," said Woerner. "National Grid recognizes that we
have an important role to play in driving the clean energy economy
and providing meaningful opportunities to local businesses. Our new
solar grazing partnership exemplifies how we continue to lead the
way toward an equitable clean energy transition in the
Northeast."
Strengthening Community Roots in Massachusetts
The practice of harnessing grazing livestock as natural
groundskeepers is a variation of agrivoltaics, described by
the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the use of land for both
agriculture and solar photovoltaic energy generation. The
pilot launched in May 2023 with an
aim to replace traditional landscaping methods with a cleaner
solution.
"Keeping environmental stewardship and thoughtful planning at
the center of our work, solar grazing is a new way for our team to
deliver for customers," said Arnaldo
Arnal, Lead Product Developer for Solar and Storage,
National Grid. "Grazing sheep reduce the need for herbicides,
pesticides, and gas-powered lawnmowers, cutting down on carbon
emissions and noise pollution at solar sites and the surrounding
community. Over time, the sheep's natural fertilizer has the
potential to boost soil biodiversity and enhance carbon
sequestration on company land."
The practice also adds an additional purpose to large-scale
solar site locations, supporting agricultural production and local
Massachusetts ranchers as they
adapt and advance their businesses.
"Solar grazing has allowed for a meaningful expansion of our
local Massachusetts farm, while
assisting in decarbonizing the grid," said Daniel Finnegan, Founder of Solar Shepherd.
"Finding a partner in National Grid that cares about the
communities in which it operates – that seeks ways to reduce fossil
fuel use, improve ecosystems, protect water sources, and maintain
economic efficiency – has been critical to our success."
Delivering Resilient and Reliable Clean Energy
Massachusetts leads the region
in solar deployment, with National Grid having connected nearly
2 gigawatts of solar to the system, more than any other
utility in New England. And, according to a recent study from the
Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, the state has enough
suitable land to double the required amount of solar capacity to
meet its decarbonization goals by 2050.
National Grid has taken significant measures to expand
Massachusetts' renewable energy
infrastructure through its long-running solar programs, leading
research efforts to demonstrate how large-scale solar energy
facilities can increase the resiliency of the electric system in
communities across the Commonwealth. In addition, the company is
focused on readying the grid for additional capacity by making
investments to accelerate the interconnection of more clean energy
resources.
The company currently owns and operates 30 solar sites in
Massachusetts, including its solar
grazing locations in Attleboro, which collectively comprise
5,000 panels spanning 10 acres of land. The two sites inject a
total of 1600 kW into the grid, providing load relief to a nearby
substation during peak summer days.
The next phase of the solar program will center on projects
developed to increase resiliency for environmental justice
communities statewide. National Grid expects to introduce grazing
sheep to other sites as its solar portfolio expands.
About National Grid
About National Grid: National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an
electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving
more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on
building a path to a more affordable, reliable clean energy future
through our fossil-free vision. National Grid is transforming our
electricity and natural gas networks with smarter, cleaner, and
more resilient energy solutions to meet the goal of reducing
greenhouse gas emissions.
For more information, please visit our
website, follow us
on Twitter, watch us on YouTube, like
us on Facebook and find our photos
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SOURCE National Grid