Animal Grazing Impacts on Water Quality at Solar Electric Generation Sites

Abstract/Summary:

Solar electric power generation is becoming a sought-after solution to the energy needs of individual households, communities, and regions across the United States and around the world. Though the technology has existed for decades, recent improvements in solar panels have made them both more efficient and more cost-effective. These improvements have transformed solar power into an attractive alternative to fossil fuel energy. Additionally, solar power meets the needs of a growing demand for electricity while addressing the challenges of climate change. It’s a win-win for communities and the planet. While solar installation sites are quiet and devoid of noisy turbines and unsightly smoke stacks, regular maintenance is required. This includes maintenance of the electrical systems, panels, and vegetation surrounding the panels. One method for managing vegetation at solar sites is to use grazing animals, typically sheep, whose grazing patterns complement the types of vegetation often present in solar setups. To understand how grazing animals at a site might impact adjacent water resources, this paper reviews and summarizes research on grazing practices and water quality. The author also examined the proposed Hecate solar project site in Coxsackie, NY, to assess potential water quality issues associated with the use of grazing animals to manage vegetation at the solar array.