en.Wedoany.com Reported - Avangrid, Inc. (part of the Iberdrola Group) has brought thousands of sheep back to its solar sites in Oregon and Washington this spring as part of its vegetation management strategy. The initiative, known as "solar grazing," utilizes sheep to control weed growth around solar panels instead of mechanical equipment, helping to maintain site efficiency and reduce fire risk during the dry summer months.
Currently, over 5,000 sheep are deployed across four facilities: Daybreak Solar, Bakeoven Solar, and Pachwáywit Fields Solar in Oregon, and Lund Hill Solar in Washington. The project is conducted in partnership with local rancher Cameron Krebs. Krebs, a fifth-generation Oregon rancher whose family has a long history in lamb and wool production, has been collaborating with Avangrid since 2024 to manage vegetation at solar projects on the Columbia Plateau.
Avangrid CEO José Antonio Miranda stated: "This initiative reflects the company's long-term commitment to the communities where it operates. This approach not only helps manage solar facilities effectively but also reinforces the region's ranching heritage by involving local agricultural partners in daily operations." He added that this collaboration strengthens community ties while ensuring solar sites are maintained in a sustainable and efficient manner.
Cameron Krebs emphasized: "It is crucial for new energy developers to partner with local communities. The goal of this project is to control vegetation growth while improving the overall resilience and functionality of solar facilities. Working with Avangrid allows traditional ranching practices to contribute to modern energy infrastructure in a practical and mutually beneficial way."
According to Lora Chante, Avangrid's Vice President of Operations and Maintenance, the project began as a small pilot in 2023 and has now expanded into a comprehensive operational approach to vegetation management. She noted that because solar projects are designed to operate for decades, maintaining strong relationships with local communities is essential. Using sheep for grazing helps keep facilities safe and well-managed while reducing operational risks such as fire hazards.
The Avangrid team works closely with Krebs Solar Grazing to develop seasonal grazing plans during the spring growing season. The sheep move freely under and around the solar panels, naturally controlling vegetation growth without the need for heavy machinery or chemical treatments. This method helps reduce fire risk before the region's hot summer months arrive.
The company is also exploring opportunities to expand solar grazing to future projects in the region and across the United States as part of its broader approach to sustainable operations and long-term asset management.
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