For this workshop, solar apiarist Allison Wickham returned to share expert insights on how to build a successful beekeeping operation on solar sites. The workshop covered best practices for beehive placement, selecting appropriate vegetation and pollinator seed mixes, and establishing strong partnership frameworks between beekeepers, graziers, and solar developers.

This workshop provided valuable takeaways for graziers, particularly those in states with pollinator scorecards, as well as solar developers and current or aspiring solar beekeepers looking to enhance land use and biodiversity on solar arrays.

During Allison’s presentation, she covered reasons why to consider solar beekeeping and the mutual benefits for solar sites, surrounding communities, and agricultural ecosystems. Beekeeping is qualified as legitimate agricultural activity by the USDA, IRS, and state/local tax offices. Beekeeping enhances plant vigor, extends ecological benefits, supports neighboring farms, creates marketable products, and improves soil health.

Allison also discussed the specific infrastructure and management practices involved in solar beekeeping. Solar beekeepers need to determine appropriate stocing rates, and often start with approximately 10 hives per site to assess productivity before scaling up. Solar beekeepers should provide clear signage, protective infrastructure, and strategic placement of hives. Additionally, they maintain vegetation around hives and provide emergency bee suits, EpiPens, and proper safety training.

Professional beekeepers with specific qualifications for managing apiaries provide the best outcomes for solar beekeeping programs. Master Beekeepers or experienced commercial beekeepers with verifiable credentials are well-suited for this position, and they are able to train site personnel and existing solar graziers. Solar site owners should be willing to work with beekeepers, providing 24/7 emergency response access when needed.

Apiary placement impacts both bee productivity and site operations. Placing apiaries outside the fence simplifies beekeeper access without requiring extensive safety protocols for each visit. No matter where the apiaries are placed, they should be at least 50-100 feet from regular work areas and protected from predators with electric fencing.

Allison also discussed effective contracts and their key considerations, including the ASGA Solar Beekeeping Contract. Contracts should include a compensation structure, product ownership, hive number flexibility, responsibility boundaries, insurance requirements, legal protections, and access provisions.

Certain situations require special attention and management approaches. This includes swarm season, honey harvest, and if the electric fencing is compromised. Early involvement of beekeepers in site planning stages improves outcomes, and beekeepers can provide input on plant selection to balance native species with honey production.

Allison discussed the multiple advantages of solar beekeeping for all stakeholders. Solar beekeeping can create premium products, and improve public relations value. Additionally, apivoltaics strengthens the agrivoltaic credentials of solar sites and provides quantifiable pollination services to surrounding agricultural operations. Solar beekeeping can be effectively combined with sheep grazing operations through proper management, creating additional income streams from the same land area.

---

Solar Beekeeping Resources:

• ASGA Solar Beekeeping Contract: https://solargrazing.org/solar-beekeeping-contract/
• Agrisolar Clearinghouse Solar Beekeeping Fact Sheet: https://www.agrisolarclearinghouse.org/fact-sheet-making-the-case-for-solar-beekeeping
• State Master Beekeeper Programs: Available in every state with certified beekeepers
• Local Beekeeping Associations: Nearly every county has access to a beekeeping organization
• American Solar Grazing Association: Provides contract templates and networking opportunities
• State Agricultural Extensions: Offer guidance on regional beekeeping practices and regulations
• Experienced Solar Beekeepers: Growing network of professionals specializing in this niche