Key Takeaways
- FirstEnergy subsidiary Mon Power used approximately 350 sheep to manage vegetation around 50,000 solar panels near Fort Martin Power Station.
- The practice, known as solar grazing, is used at more than 500 solar sites in 30 states.
- The sheep were supplied by Sivic LLC, a West Virginia–based solar grazing company.
- Solar grazing supports renewable energy efficiency while providing income opportunities for local farmers.
- The Fort Martin site is part of Mon Power and Potomac Edison's 18.9 MW solar development program on reclaimed and industrial land.
FirstEnergy Subsidiary Mon Power Adopts Solar Grazing to Maintain Fort Martin Site
In an effort to integrate agriculture with renewable energy operations, Mon Power, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., has partnered with local farmers to use sheep for vegetation management at its solar facility adjacent to the Fort Martin Power Station in West Virginia. The practice allowed around 350 sheep to graze among 50,000 solar panels throughout the fall season.
Known as solar grazing, the method provides an eco-friendly alternative to mechanical mowing and is gaining traction nationwide. According to the American Solar Grazing Association, the practice is now in use across 506 sites in 30 states.
Leadership Highlights Community and Environmental Benefits
Dan Rossero, Vice President of FirstEnergy's West Virginia Generation, emphasized the broader value of the initiative. “We're managing this site with an innovative approach that blends renewable energy and agriculture for the benefit of our community. Solar grazing allows us to keep the site operating efficiently while supporting local farmers and reducing our environmental footprint. By partnering with sheep farmers and advancing solar power, we're making a positive impact that extends well beyond the fence line.”
How Solar Grazing Supports Energy Efficiency
Vegetation control is essential for ensuring solar panels can operate efficiently. If grass or weeds grow too tall, they can shade panels and reduce output. Sheep offer several advantages over traditional mowing:
- They feed on various weeds and invasive species.
- They can easily access areas under the panels, where machines struggle.
- The panels naturally provide shade and rain protection for the animals.
This makes sheep well-suited for maintaining consistent vegetation levels while reducing noise, emissions, and land disturbance associated with mechanical trimming.
Local Farmers Lead Grazing Operations
Mon Power partnered with Sivic LLC, operated by farmers Nate Dean and Luci Mosesso from Pocahontas County. The team rotated roughly 350 sheep through the Fort Martin site every four to six days, using temporary fencing to keep vegetation evenly managed.
With plant growth slowing for winter, the sheep have returned to their home farm and are expected to resume grazing at the solar facility in the spring.
“It’s a regenerative way to manage vegetation on a site that’s already regenerative itself as a renewable energy source,” Dean noted.
FirstEnergy's Fort Martin Site: Part of West Virginia’s Growing Solar Program
The Fort Martin solar site, an 18.9-megawatt project that began operating in early 2024, is the first of three solar installations under Mon Power and Potomac Edison’s statewide program. Together with sites in Marion and Berkeley counties, the companies now have 30 megawatts of solar capacity built on former industrial and brownfield properties.
