Agrivoltaics is reshaping how we think about land use — instead of choosing either farming or solar, we can now do both. By raising solar panels higher and spacing them to allow grazing or crop growth beneath, farmers unlock two revenue streams from the same piece of land: traditional agriculture and renewable power generation.
Sheep + Solar = A Natural Fit
Sheep graze comfortably around solar arrays without damaging equipment, making them ideal for vegetation control.
Benefits include:
- Lower mowing and maintenance costs
- Happier, shaded animals with less heat stress
- More consistent grass growth under diffused light
- Continued agricultural production without giving up pasture
For rural sites, it’s one of the simplest, most efficient agrivoltaic models.
Leafy Greens Thrive in Partial Shade
Not all crops need full sun — in fact, many leafy greens perform better with reduced heat and softer light. Lettuce, spinach, and leafy herbs typically require 3–4 hours of direct sunlight per day and grow well under partial shade where they’re protected from heat stress and water loss.
Source: University of Minnesota Extension — “Leafy greens grow well with 3 to 4 hours of sun per day.”
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/vegetables-shade
Under solar panels, these crops benefit from:
- Improved water retention in the soil due to reduced evaporation
- Lower irrigation demand
- Cooler root zones, leading to better leaf quality
- Reduced sunburn and bolting during hot periods
In some climates (including parts of NZ), partial shade actually increases yield and consistency for leafy varieties.
Why Agrivoltaics Makes Sense
Combining solar with farming offers:
- More stable on-farm income
- Better land efficiency
- Reduced crop stress during hot seasons
- Improved soil moisture
- Lower operating costs
- A practical step toward sustainable food and energy production
As NZ farms face volatile weather, rising energy costs and pressure to diversify, agrivoltaics provides a resilient, future-proof path.