Ely Valdez and his San Antonio-based EVA Ranch and Solar Farm are a perfect illustration of the Texas-sized synergies shared by the growth of utility scale solar energy projects and agrivoltaics.
As owner and operator of the EVA Ranch, Ely and his family oversee a total of about 1,700 sheep supporting sustainability at LRE’s Horizon and Morrow Lake solar facilities in Frio County, Texas.
Sheep have become the not-so-secret ingredient in sustainability efforts at large scale solar projects, as grazing sheep allow solar facilities like Horizon and Morrow Lake Solar to produce clean energy while minimizing environmental impact.
Solar grazing, or agrivoltaics, is a method using land for both solar energy production and agriculture. Solar grazing provides numerous benefits including vegetation control and increased panel efficiency by keeping grass below panel height, so it doesn’t block sunlight. In addition, sheep help keep solar panel areas clear without damaging infrastructure or requiring fossil fuel-powered equipment that conflicts with sustainability efforts. Solar grazing also provides steady income streams for farmers and the agricultural industry, and promotes sustainability by improving soil health, biodiversity, and water retention, promoting long-term ecological resilience.
“Grazing sheep on solar sites is a perfect complement,” notes Ely. “The sustainability impacts are measurable. I’ve seen dirt patches at Morrow Lake that are now grassy so I can attest to the soli enhancement sheep manure can bring.”
“It’s also been a blessing for sheep farmers like me,” he adds. “It means a steady income, which isn’t that common for farmers.”
Mirroring the growth of solar energy in Texas, Ely’s own flock has grown from 100 to 10,000 head of sheep in just a few years. EVA Ranch now services 24 solar sites with grazing sheep throughout the Lone Star State including LRE’s facilities. That growth addresses one of the many challenges for sheep farmers which is finding enough grazeable land for their flocks.
“I had a small group of sheep and I wanted to increase the flock but didn’t have the land,” he says. “Then a small solar facility was built across the street from our ranch and I spoke with them about grazing sheep there. That’s how it all started. Both the solar industry and solar grazing have exploded in Texas since then.”
To accommodate the rapid growth of solar facilities and solar grazing, sheep farmers banded together in 2013 to create the American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA). ASGA is a non-profit trade organization founded to promote grazing sheep on solar installations through research, education and networking.
According to Kevin Richardson, ASGA Senior Director, for many famers solar grazing is a new concept and represents a shift from working for yourself as a farmer to being a service provider for solar facilities. To address those challenges, ASGA works to develop best practices that support shepherds and solar developers to both effectively manage solar installations and create new agribusiness profits. LRE is a corporate supporter of ASGA, Ely Valdez serves on ASGA’s Board of Directors, and LRE’s Government Affairs Sr. Associate Walker Adams serves on its Advisory Board.
ASGA’s education efforts include a series of video documentaries that highlight the benefits of solar grazing and the people behind the sheep. A recent ASGA video Texas Solar Shepherdshighlights Texas sheep ranchers active in solar grazing.
“I think of solar facility owners and operators as managers of millions of acres of land,” notes Kevin Richardson. “What better way to ensure good land stewardship than to partner with agriculture?”
“Having a partner like LRE is key to solar gazing,” adds Kevin. “Obviously the benefits of solar grazing swing both ways, but without solar operators and land there would be a lot fewer opportunities for these farmers to grow their flocks and subsequently strengthen solar sustainability.”
“Agrivoltaics just make such good sense for LRE, especially in Texas where we have a growing solar presence,” adds Brooke Akins, LRE’s Sr. Manager of Sustainability. “The benefits of solar grazing are incredibly diverse, and LRE is proud to partner with groups like ASGA and top-notch shepherds like Ely Valdez who continue to help us leverage those benefits. Those partnerships contribute significantly to helping us meet our value of achieving sustainability in all we do.”
About LRE
Founded in Texas in 2003, LRE (Leeward Renewable Energy) owns and operates 30+ wind, solar, and energy storage projects totaling over 4GW nationwide. LRE continues to help meet increased U.S. energy demand through our robust pipeline of new projects every year. We prioritize domestic jobs, local community partnerships, and protecting the land in our long-term approach to meet American energy needs. To learn more, visit www.lreus.com.
