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.”
