<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/solar-shepherds-make-big-money-grazing-sheep-among-panels-and-it-benefits-everyone-involved/>
"In today’s volatile economy, job stability can often be found in unexpected
places – like returning to the traditional role of shepherding. Solar
shepherds, who manage sheep grazing under solar panels, are part of a growing
movement that combines agriculture and renewable energy – and offers high
incomes in the process.
My recent study, conducted with Ivey Business School alum Adam Gasch and
professional shepherd Rafael Lara from The Lara Costa, found that modern solar
shepherding businesses in places like Ontario can pull incomes equivalent to
doctors, senior engineers or even lawyers.
These solar shepherds are the vanguard of a new type of farming called
agrivoltaics — a portmanteau for agriculture and photovoltaics — where
agricultural production is intertwined with solar electricity production.
Agrivoltaics is gaining traction in Canada, thanks to organizations like
Agrivoltaics Canada, of which I am a founding member.
Agrivoltaics has enormous potential to solve our climate and energy problems
simultaneously. About one-quarter to one-third of Canada’s total electrical
energy needs could be met by converting just one per cent of agricultural land
to agrivoltaics. Expanding this to a slightly larger percentage could eliminate
Canada’s need for fossil fuels entirely.
Agrivoltaics uses land far more efficiently than simple farming — it not only
produces clean energy but also enhances agricultural output, yielding more food
than traditional farming methods."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
