{
  "id": 11248778,
  "title": "Vermont couple grew 30 sheep into 500, grazing 1,500 acres of solar sites",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/vermont-couple-grew-30-sheep-into-500-grazing-1-500-acres-of-solar",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-01T16:40:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/in-2018-a-vermont-couple-started-with-30-sheep-seven-years-later-their-solar-grazing-business-had-500-sheep-managing-vegetation-across-1500-acres-of-solar-sites-in-the-northeast/articleshow/134623690.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 2018, Lewis Fox and Niko Kochendoerfer launched Agrivoltaic Solutions LLC in Vermont as a small trial using 30 sheep to manage vegetation around solar panels. This innovative approach, known as solar grazing, has since evolved into a thriving commercial operation. The couple's business now oversees 500 sheep tending to 1,500 acres of solar sites across multiple states, including Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Agrivoltaic Solutions' unique model integrates farming and renewable energy, providing an affordable and sustainable solution for maintaining solar energy sites while generating stable income for livestock producers. By using sheep to control grass and weeds, this method avoids the risks associated with mechanical mowers, such as damaging electrical cables or solar panels. The company's expansion has involved partnering with regional livestock owners, who provide the sheep and manage daily care, while Agrivoltaic Solutions handles logistics, insurance, site inspections, and contracts. This collaborative network helps smaller farms participate in solar energy projects without assuming the administrative burdens or legal complexities typically associated with large utility sites. Furthermore, Agrivoltaic Solutions has contributed to the development of industry standards by incorporating animal safety considerations during the planning and construction phases of new solar energy installations. Their work not only benefits the environment but also strengthens rural farming communities by creating long-term partnerships between energy companies and local agricultural producers.",
  "summary": "Since its inception in 2018, Agrivoltaic Solutions LLC has revolutionized the use of sheep for grazing around solar panels. This rapidly expanding initiative, stretching across thousands of acres in various states, not only bolsters farmers' financial security but also lowers expenses for utility companies. By partnering with local livestock producers, it fosters agricultural stability in the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}