Liz Truss has been quite vocal about solar farms but we really see the benefits, and one of the benefits that is often overlooked is their relationship with other animals.

Anyone who knows our store will be familiar with our love and appreciation of fine wool and we stock suits and jackets made from the finest English and Italian wool and also wool and merino wool garments from John Smedley.

As Europe warms the importance of using solar power wherever possible increases but so does the need for farm animals to find shelter from the heat and combining solar panels and sheep works extremely well.

In Australia and America this is huge business as the sheep work tirelessly to keep the weeds and grass below the panels manageable.

Sheep are uniquely suited to the purpose as their height allows them fit under the panels where a cow wouldn’t and they are much more manoeuvrable than machines. Goats would also fit but the risk of them chewing cables etc renders them quite unsuitable!

Equally the panels give the sheep access to shade away from the sun’s direct rays. And unlike a mechanical mower of any kind, the fleece from the sheep only adds to its value.

If you’d like to read more about the approach taken in the States, this article in the Wall Street Journal is very interesting.

It does require a subscription, though a pretty small one, but the audi clip at the top of the article is free and gives the basic story.

In essence, all over America, shepherds are back and making very good profits keeping 1000 acre plus fields of solar panels clear of prairie grass which could block the panels if left to grow. The sheep are benefitting us and the farmers, a win win.