Avangrid Begins Largest Solar Grazing Operation in the Pacific Northwest
Avangrid partners with a fifth-generation rancher to graze thousands of sheep at two of the largest Pacific Northwest solar farms
Sheep prove effective at limiting the growth of weeds and vegetation, cutting down wildfire risk while replacing the use of gas-powered machines
Interested parties can find selected video b-roll and soundbites in the embedded links

Sheep graze at Pachwáywit Fields solar farm in
Avangrid began this effort last year with a pilot project at Pachwáywit Fields, Oregon’s largest operating solar farm located in
By the Spring, Avangrid expanded the pilot into a full solar grazing operation at Pachwáywit Fields. Avangrid also launched a similar operation at its Lund Hill solar farm in
“Avangrid is one of the most sustainable companies in the world and this is yet another example of our hardworking teams taking an innovative approach to solving complex problems,” said Pedro Azagra, Avangrid CEO. “These sheep are not only a more environmentally friendly solution to manage the vegetation, but help us support the local community and contribute to a circular economy in the Pacific Northwest.”
The sheep at these sites belong to Cameron Krebs, a fifth generation
“There has been a significant learning curve, but it is fascinating to watch the sheep learn to expertly move under and around the solar panels to eat the vegetation,” said Krebs. “They are consuming four to five pounds of dry matter per day. Another way to think about that is they are consuming four to five pounds of carbon and turning it into food and fiber, or returning it to the soil naturally. By reducing the total vegetation on site, we’re significantly reducing the fuel load and fire danger as we move into the hot, dry summer.”
“They are constantly eating,” said Dustin Ervin, Avangrid’s senior solar manager for
“We are proud to work with local communities, businesses and companies like Avangrid to continue to find ways to provide clean energy to our customers while benefiting Oregon,” said Taylor McAllister, product specialist at PGE.
“Creating world class products starts with healthy sheep providing the best wool possible,” said Keith Stonelake, wool buyer for Pendleton Woolen Mills. “The Krebs family has been one of our trusted wool growers for nearly 100 years and we are thrilled by the partnership between the Krebs’ and Avangrid.”
Avangrid will continue to utilize sheep at both Pachwáywit Fields and Lund Hill for the foreseeable future, managing the vegetation during peak growing seasons in the spring and fall. The Company is considering opportunities to expand solar grazing at other solar facilities within its portfolio.
About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in
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Media Contact:
Keaton Thomas
Keaton.thomas@avangrid.com
503-956-9621
Source: AVANGRID