Combining solar panels and farming, agrivoltaics is proving to be a win-win for farmers and the planet. According to CleanTechnica, this "solar grazing" is a match made in heaven. For years, solar farms have used sheep to control vegetation. The sheep get to graze, and their excrement provides free fertilizer. As CleanTechnica noted, ranchers get paid, and solar operators avoid mowing. Everybody wins. Okay, but why stop at sheep? One company, Silicon Ranch, is now working to introduce cattle. As Nick DeVries, the company's head of technology, told Inside Climate News, this is a big challenge. "[Cows] are very large animals," he said. "They scrape on things. They like to rub." How do you stop a 1,400-pound bored and curious cow from demolishing a solar panel? Silicon Ranch's solution is a new system called CattleTracker. Each cow gets a tracking device. When the herd gets close, the tracker tells the solar array to reorient horizontally, letting the animals roam underneath without damaging the equipment. And the payoff for farmers is huge. This dual-use model, which is a key part of agrivoltaics, helps them generate new, reliable income and even helps plants retain moisture. | # FROM OUR PARTNER # Stay hydrated and refreshed this holiday season — without any sugar or harmful additives Nuun’s zero-sugar hydration tablets are a perfect, guilt-free way to enhance your water throughout the day. You’ll get **five essential electrolytes** for everyday hydration — with **zero grams of sugar**. Plus, Nuun tablets are certified vegan and gluten-free, and they’re the perfect size to keep in your car, purse, or anywhere you'll want a healthy, restorative drink. ## Learn more → --- There are reports of farmers in California's Central Valley earning $50,000 per acre annually from solar. Then there's the study in Japan that showed how panels over rice paddies produced a top-quality crop and nearly 44,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity in one year. Farmer Daniel Bell, who grazes sheep at a Silicon Ranch, put it best. "I just can't even stress how awesome this opportunity is," he told Inside Climate News. CleanTechnica readers were enthusiastic about the idea, too. "Architects building new houses? Start with a solar roof for shade and rain-protection, and then build a nice house underneath," one user suggested. | # FROM OUR PARTNER # There's a reason dermatologists personally use this daily moisturizing sunscreen more than any other brand Dermatologists see and understand skin at a much deeper level than the rest of us, and they know that the perfect SPF both protects and corrects your skin. That's why they trust, recommend, and personally use EltaMD more than any other brand. EltaMD's clinically tested formulas are designed with dermatologists to meet the needs of any skin type or condition. They're also designed for consistent daily wear to build long-term resilience with a moisturizing, lightweight, non-comedogenic texture — plus hyaluronic acid to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. ## Learn more → --- **Are you thinking about installing solar panels in the near future?** ** Yes 👍 ** ** No 👎 ** ** I'm on the fence 🤔 ** ** Maybe a few years from now 📅 ** Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "Solar panels plus sheep sounds like a good combination, I'm a little doubtful about solar with cattle," another wrote. A third commenter added, "We have a few large farms with big barns that are loaded with Solar Panels and there's a lot of room up there..." Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club. * share * __ Facebook * __ Twitter * __ Link Copied! ## Cool Picks #### How the Expedia of solar panels helps homeowners save money and avoid a common trap: 'Giving you confidence in the systems' #### This innovative company will install solar panels on your roof with no upfront costs — here's how its business model works #### Startup turns grocery shopping into an adventure with 70% discounts: 'A fun experience akin to a treasure hunt' #### Revolutionary service helps households make money-saving HVAC upgrades: 'Can save you around 30-50%'

First-hand abuse claims. Hidden flight records. Disappearing documents. And why dictators always fail at cover-ups.