'Photovoltaic sheep' a winning model in Qinghai

Sheep grazing beneath photovoltaic panels is helping solar farms reduce mowing costs, restore vegetation and provide herders with better forage — a model locals call "photovoltaic sheep".

The term refers to sheep raised under solar panels. In this model, the panels generate clean electricity while providing shade, reducing wind erosion and creating conditions that help grass grow. During the growing season, the sheep feed on the grass, turning solar parks into shared spaces for clean energy generation, desertification control and ecological animal husbandry.

The model has been developed in Gonghe and Xinghai counties in the Hainan Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Qinghai province.

Since 2022, Hainan has promoted the coordinated development of photovoltaic desert control and photovoltaic pastures. So far, 32 ecological photovoltaic pastures and 56 grazing sites have been established at solar bases operated by multiple companies. The program involves 18 village collectives and 6,330 households in five townships.

The prefecture has planned 609 square kilometers of photovoltaic parks, of which 420 sq km have been built. According to local forestry and grassland authorities, average grass output in the parks has reached 174 kilograms per 0.06 hectare, producing about 118,000 metric tons of forage annually. At a 70 percent utilization rate, the grass can support about 100,000 sheep.

For Yeduo, a 50-year-old Tibetan herder from Tiegai township, the benefits have been immediate.

Before moving his flock to a photovoltaic park at the end of 2018, Yeduo grazed more than 100 sheep on his own pasture, where grass resources were limited and forage quality was lower. His flock had to move between seasonal pastures each year.

Now he keeps about 300 sheep, most of them grazing beneath solar panels.

"The grass under the photovoltaic panels is much better," Yeduo said. "The sheep gain weight faster, and their live weight is higher when they are sold. That has increased my income."

The new grazing model has also made herding easier. In the past, Yeduo had to drive his sheep more than 10 km to seasonal pastures and sometimes buy additional forage. Now his flock can remain in one area for much of the grazing season.

Yeduo still remembers what the area looked like before the solar park was built.

"It used to be seriously desertified," he said. "When the wind blew, dust filled the air. Sometimes the wind lasted for one or two months, and the sheep could not go out to graze."

Jiu Xiantai, deputy director of Hainan prefecture's agriculture and animal husbandry bureau, said the solar panels have improved the local microenvironment.

"The panels provide shade, reduce wind and help prevent sand from burying young grass," Jiu said. "In some desertified areas, annual forage output used to be only about 50 kg per 0.06 hectare. Now it reaches about 150 to 200 kg."

Jiu said the model delivers benefits for solar companies, herders and the environment alike. Companies save on mowing costs, herders spend less on forage and pasture transfers, and the vegetation growing beneath the panels helps control sand and restore grassland.

Management has also become more standardized. In the past, some herders grazed sheep in solar parks through private arrangements with companies. Now village collective cooperatives sign agreements with photovoltaic companies, and grazing is organized according to the carrying capacity of the grassland.

Each grazing site generally supports about 400 sheep, and every sheep wears an electronic ear tag for traceability. Grazing usually takes place from June to October to prevent overuse of grass resources.

The prefecture has also promoted the "photovoltaic sheep" brand, expanding sales through company procurement, east-west cooperation programs, livestreaming and supermarket channels. Village collectives now record average annual income growth of 14.57 million yuan ($2.15 million), while participating households earn about 2,300 yuan more on average.

Government support includes subsidies, animal disease prevention and marketing services. Herders receive subsidies of 30 to 50 yuan for each sheep sold. If sheep sent to livestock trading markets are not sold immediately, the government covers short-term forage costs.

Hainan plans to further improve pasture management rules, breeding standards, grazing arrangements and traceability while developing an operating model linking companies, village collectives, photovoltaic bases and herders.

For Yeduo, the transformation is already evident.

"Grazing under the panels has brought us many benefits," he said. "The grass is better, the sheep grow better, and life is more convenient."

yangzekun@chinadaily.com.cn