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Sep 26, 2024 | 
m.farms.com | M. Charles Gould
By M. Charles GouldLivestock are a very effective vegetative management tool for community and utility solar energy systems. Cattle are grazed in some solar projects, but typically it is sheep that are used to control vegetation growth because they can easily maneuver underneath and around solar arrays.
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Sep 26, 2024 | 
canr.msu.edu | M. Charles Gould
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.
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Sep 26, 2024 | 
canr.msu.edu | Ana Heck |M. Charles Gould
The Honey Bee Health Coalition announced the release of its new guidebook, "Guidelines for Developing Pollinator-Friendly Utility-Scale Solar Projects." This comprehensive guide is designed to help solar developers and project stakeholders integrate pollinator health and habitat benefits into the design and management of utility-scale solar (USS) projects.
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Sep 25, 2024 | 
canr.msu.edu | M. Charles Gould
Livestock are a very effective vegetative management tool for community and utility solar energy systems. Cattle are grazed in some solar projects, but typically it is sheep that are used to control vegetation growth because they can easily maneuver underneath and around solar arrays. While sheep will happily eat many types of weeds and invasive plant species, weeds do not produce the type of pasture that sheep producers need to produce a marketable lamb in a reasonable time period.
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Sep 19, 2024 | 
canr.msu.edu | M. Charles Gould
What would you think if vegetables, wheat and small fruit could be grown in a solar project in your township? This scenario could happen in Michigan if we think about agriculture and solar photovoltaic technologies on the same land in novel configurations (Figure 1). Thinking this way requires a paradigm shift in the way we think about agriculture and solar energy systems. This system looks at agriculture and solar power production as compliments to the other instead of as competitors.
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Aug 30, 2024 | 
canr.msu.edu | M. Charles Gould
Several weeks ago, I met with some farmers with land in a utility scale solar project to ascertain their interest in growing crops or raising sheep in the solar project. I discovered that none of them had even considered that possibility. I was not surprised about that. The practice of growing crops or grazing livestock in a utility or community solar project seems to be the best kept secret around the state.
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Apr 23, 2024 | 
m.farms.com | M. Charles Gould
By M. Charles GouldManure application will soon be in full swing across Michigan. This is a good time to reflect on biosecurity practices to prevent the spread of diseases found in manure, especially now that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in dairy cattle in Michigan. Other secretions such as saliva, respiratory droplets and feces are considered plausible sources of infection though have not yet been proven. These may serve as a source of virus for other cattle.
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Apr 22, 2024 | 
canr.msu.edu | M. Charles Gould
Manure application will soon be in full swing across Michigan. This is a good time to reflect on biosecurity practices to prevent the spread of diseases found in manure, especially now that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in dairy cattle in Michigan. Other secretions such as saliva, respiratory droplets and feces are considered plausible sources of infection though have not yet been proven. These may serve as a source of virus for other cattle.
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Nov 22, 2023 | 
farms.com | M. Charles Gould
By M. Charles GouldCo-location of agriculture and solar within the landscape is referred to as agrisolar. Solar can be co-located with crops and grazing, beekeeping, pollinator habitat, aquaculture, and dairies. With agrisolar, solar energy is harvested twice, once with the solar module and again with crops, forage, honey, and habitat. Solar-suitable crops are grown in Michigan but not yet in solar energy systems.
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Nov 20, 2023 | 
canr.msu.edu | M. Charles Gould
Co-location of agriculture and solar within the landscape is referred to as agrisolar. Solar can be co-located with crops and grazing, beekeeping, pollinator habitat, aquaculture, and dairies. With agrisolar, solar energy is harvested twice, once with the solar module and again with crops, forage, honey, and habitat. Solar-suitable crops are grown in Michigan but not yet in solar energy systems.
