Energy Support Services’ cutting-edge solution of using farm animals for land maintenance enables the use of solar energy in difficult locations

ANNAPOLIS, Md, June 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Energy Support Services (ESS), a wholly owned subsidiary of New Energy Equity, LLC, has launched an innovative agrivoltaic solution using DSD Renewables (DSD) technology to manage vegetation at the DSD solar plant in Winchester, Virginia. Agrivoltaics is the use of land for both agricultural purposes and solar energy production.

The rocky terrain and exposed stones where the 1.8 MW ground-mounted photovoltaic installation is located make mowing under the panels impossible due to the risk of damage to the photovoltaic panels and mowing equipment. DSD has entered into an agreement with ESS for a creative alternative to maintaining the 7-acre site at The Village at Orchard Ridge (TVOR), a Lutheran retirement community. The solution was an agreement with Katahdin Acresa member of the American Sun Grazing Association (ASGA) and employs sheep and pigs to care for the vegetation by grazing.

“Agrivoltaics is a highly cost-effective and innovative vegetation management strategy that enables solar energy to be installed in areas that might not otherwise be considered,” he said Konrad Gross, CEO of Energy Support Services. “By using the solar grazing association’s directory and working with a local company, Katahdin Acres, Winchester the community works together effectively to successfully produce renewable energy where it would otherwise be impossible. We are proud to have provided a solution that has proven successful for both DSD and the retirement community, ensuring the durability and success of this solar system.”

Energy support services, renewable energy sources DSD i Katahdin Acres worked together to address initial concerns among retirement community residents about animal welfare, including what they would eat and drink, how they would shelter, and how they would be protected from wildlife. Katahdin Acres brought some of the kunekune pigs and sheep to the Orchard Ridge village for a “meet and greet,” during which the company’s experienced team also answered questions from residents.

“We see that agrovoltaics is increasingly being used as a viable solution to optimize land use and increasingly enable the implementation of projects related to renewable energy sources,” he said. David Eisenbud, senior director – beginnings at DSD. “Having sheep and pigs helps us maintain the land while providing a safe place to roam freely, which is truly a win-win and further demonstrates our shared commitment to implementing innovative solutions that reduce the carbon footprint of our projects in the communities we serve.”

Vegetation management coordinated by ESS and DSD has been a huge success and lambs born this spring now enjoy feed available on site. Grazing maintenance costs represent 60% of the cost of mowing the same area once, and the forage profile has improved compared to the initial weed infestation seen last year before the sheep and pigs arrived.

Information about energy support services

Founded in 2014, Energy Support Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of New Energy Equity, LLC, a subsidiary of ALLETE, Inc. Energy Support Services provides O&M and asset management support for solar projects, servicing 170 MW of projects under contracts with over 30 different customer entities in 15 states. The headquarters of the asset monitoring and management teams are located in: Annapolis, Maryland, with field technicians located throughout the country to serve our customers. To learn more, visit https://www.energysupportteam.com/.

About renewable energy sources DSD
DSD Renewables (DSD) is a renewable energy solutions platform, enabling a more sustainable future by deploying and operating renewable energy solutions that make solar, storage and electric vehicle charging infrastructure more accessible to commercial, industrial and municipal partners. With in-house expertise, a broad range of capabilities, and the proprietary DSD Connect platform, our team provides resources to industry partners and customers across the U.S., accelerating the adoption and scale of renewable energy to achieve aggressive sustainability and net-zero goals. To learn more, visit DSDRenewables.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, InstagramAND Facebook.

Contact: Keri Fisher
Senior Marketing Director
New Energy Capital
443-266-2079
(email protected)

SOURCE New Energy Capital