A groundbreaking study in Australia shows how clean energy and animal welfare can thrive side by side.
They gave 1,700 sheep access to solar panels, and what they found surprised scientists: “we’re on the right track”
A new approach in the agrovoltaics sector is delivering promising results, improving both animal welfare and the quality of the wool produced. A three-year study in Australia documented how 1,700 Merino sheep experienced better living conditions when given access to areas beneath solar panels. While solar installations are usually located in isolated, single-use areas, this emerging practice is proving that land can serve two purposes at once.
A fusion of energy and livestock
This large-scale scientific study was conducted at the Wellington solar farm in New South Wales, operated by Lightsourcebp in partnership with EMM Consulting and Elders Rural Services. The Merino sheep, originally from Spain, are highly prized for their high-quality wool. During the experiment, researchers divided the sheep into two groups – one grazed in traditional pastures, while the other roamed between the solar panel arrays. The results were encouraging: not only did the sheep remain healthy, they also experienced a range of benefits.
Solar panels on farms make sheep happier and healthier
— My Zero Carbon #ClimateAction (@MyZeroCarbon) April 22, 2025
by World Economic Forum
study on the impact of ‘agrivoltaic’ farms on animal welfare.
Researchers attached data trackers to 80 ewes to study the benefit of solar panels on animal welfare#ClimateAction #ClimateChange pic.twitter.com/bfTg4bGI5d
Most notably, the sheep produced higher-quality wool. The panels also acted as a protective barrier against extreme weather, offering the animals a major advantage in the face of intense heat or rain. “These promising findings show we’re on the right track, and it’s vital we work closely with farmers to deepen our understanding in this space,” said Brendan Clarke, interim director of environmental planning for Australia and New Zealand at Lightsourcebp.
Animal welfare benefits from solar shade
Researchers documented greater wool growth and stronger fiber in sheep with access to the solar panel zones, compared to those in standard pastures. The shade also helped maintain ground vegetation and shield the animals from the elements. Moisture retention in the soil around and beneath the panels led to more nutritious pasture, directly improving the quality of the wool produced.
In addition, the researchers suggested that the presence of solar infrastructure may have reduced parasite infestations in the area, which in turn lowered stress levels among the animals.
Moving our resident herd of sheep to solar sites was a really big endeavor for White Oak Pastures. Today, 5 years later, we have over 1,500 breeding females who work hard to keep the grass underneath these panels maintained.
— White Oak Pastures (@whiteoakpasture) May 27, 2025
Animal impact is key in land management to rebuild… pic.twitter.com/PLO67gIoOC
European experiences mirror the trend
While the Australian study is the most in-depth to date, similar experiments have been carried out in France with comparable results. Although the sample size was smaller, Véronique Deiss, a researcher at INRAE, confirmed: “The animals enjoy better thermal comfort and improved access to quality feed, among other benefits.”
Her findings reinforce the idea that the positive effects of solar panels on sheep farming are consistent across different climates and regions.
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