ElectricRedPandaJan 26, 2023
Kenn White
Today I learned from @0xabad1dea that a lot of large solar farm owners use sheep herds to maintain their grass and they're called solarpunk grazers and life seems a little better. 🤘
Jan 26, 2023 at 1:16pmToot!
Show threadSimon ZerafaJan 26, 2023

@kennwhite @0xabad1dea

They do this in Wales. Sheep generally also. Two crops from the same land 🙂🤷‍♂️

Show threadA mighty fleaJan 26, 2023
@kennwhite @0xabad1dea We always look out for them when driving through the Bavarian countryside.
Show threadBill Plein🌶Jan 26, 2023

@kennwhite @0xabad1dea

Just have to make sure there are no loose wires reachable by the sheep 😀

Show threadKenn WhiteJan 26, 2023

@bplein @0xabad1dea apparently the conditions under the panels are perfect - slight humidity, lower temps, great for pollination and lower carbon output. I assume cables are a solved problem.

https://www.bayjournal.com/news/climate_change/sheep-and-solar-panels-using-solar-sites-for-pastureland/article_c1899a84-c4e2-11ec-b63c-7fa1a501105d.html

Show threadBill Plein🌶Jan 26, 2023

@kennwhite @0xabad1dea

Yeah for a professional large scale install, I would assume the same about the cables.

For a private property of small scale, there’s lots of DIY or small inexperienced solar installers. Hell, Tesla can’t even contract out quality installers everywhere.

Show threaddaveyJan 28, 2023
@kennwhite @bplein @0xabad1dea Rodents chew on cables; I've not heard of this issue with large mammals.
In the U.S., Article 690 of NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code requires that conductors not in raceways (electrically rated pipe or equivalent) be protected from #physicalDamage. Emotional damage, no; so if a sheep cared to cock a leg and spray the conductors, perhaps if it ain't too corrosive protection is not required.
Show threadBill Plein🌶Jan 29, 2023

@davey @kennwhite @0xabad1dea

Goats are notorious for chewing through anything they are given the opportunity to chew on. It’s all anecdotal but check out this thread!

https://www.thegoatspot.net/threads/will-the-goats-eat-the-wiring-on-my-trailer.171716/

Show threaddaveyJan 29, 2023
@bplein Love it. Yes, I wouldn't put much past goats. But sheep? Presumably not, or you'd have found it. When our neighborhood was considering how to deal with a poison ivy infestation, one option was to rent goats. They were guaranteed to eat any vegetation within access. (Goats and goatherd were a little too expensive.)
Show threadKent BrewsterMay 9, 2023
@bplein @davey @kennwhite @0xabad1dea also goats would climb up the panels and tap-dance them into oblivion.
Show threaddaveyMay 10, 2023
@kentbrew @bplein @kennwhite @0xabad1dea Tap-dancing goats sounds a bit Disney. They do seem too stolid to do the shim-sham.
Show threaddaveyMay 10, 2023
@bplein @kennwhite @0xabad1dea Lovely. Thank you, Bill, for the new knowledge. I knew they will eat any vegetation, but the only mammals I heard about eating wiring heretofore were rodents. I appreciate the education.
Show threadBill Plein🌶Jan 29, 2023

@davey @kennwhite @0xabad1dea

Yes all of the high voltage stuff is covered by NEC but look at the back of this solar install.

Show threaddaveyJan 29, 2023
@bplein
Valid. But will it appeal to sheep (even sheeps passing in the night)? I've not spent a lot of time around them.
Show threadBill Plein🌶Jan 29, 2023
@davey Goats would gobble the wires up just to see if it’s any good.
Show threadPhilip BrewerJan 26, 2023
@kennwhite @0xabad1dea There's a large solar farm directly across the street from me, but they don't do this. Very sad.
Show threadLanda Jan 26, 2023
@philipbrewer @kennwhite @0xabad1dea I'm not sure how adventurous sheep are, but that seems so low that goats would definitely climb on top and try to eat the solar panels :D
Show threadPhilip BrewerJan 26, 2023
@Landa @kennwhite @0xabad1dea Sheep probably. Goats definitely.
Show threadRyan SchultzJan 26, 2023
@kennwhite @0xabad1dea "Solarpunk Grazers" woould be a great name for a band!
Show threadmrkaptasticJan 26, 2023
@kennwhite @0xabad1dea They use goats at SAS institute. I believe they have a relationship will local farms to rotate goats in the fields through the solar farm.
Show threadPusher Of Pixels (old account)Jan 26, 2023

@kennwhite @0xabad1dea

Do not try this with goats

Show threadFinal Round Player 😷🇪🇺🍸Jan 26, 2023
@pixelpusher220 @kennwhite @0xabad1dea or Pigs.
Show threadPusher Of Pixels (old account)Jan 26, 2023

@jbond @kennwhite @0xabad1dea

Goats climb...what's the reason for no pigs?

Show threadFinal Round Player 😷🇪🇺🍸Jan 26, 2023
@pixelpusher220 @kennwhite @0xabad1dea They root about and push things over. Unless the supports were concreted in, they wouldn't last.
Show threadPusher Of Pixels (old account)Jan 26, 2023
@jbond @kennwhite @0xabad1dea ah, thx
Show threadTimo KellenbergerJan 26, 2023
@pixelpusher220
True. It is actively discouraged. They climb on top of the panels and can damage them. 😂
@kennwhite @0xabad1dea
Show threadBitquarkJan 26, 2023
@kennwhite @0xabad1dea there's a wind farm I often pass that uses cows to maintain the area. I sometimes stop and visit them, they're adorable.
Show thread𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐄 🌼Jan 26, 2023
@kennwhite @0xabad1dea I hope the parks are very large and the area for the sheep is probably managed. Sheep should not kept in the same place and need changing areas with different grass/herbs to stay healthier.
Show threadabadideaJan 26, 2023
@stevE @kennwhite nobody needs their solar farm mowed every day, they’re visiting sheep
Show thread𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐄 🌼Jan 26, 2023
@0xabad1dea @kennwhite this would be good.
Show threadRichard BarrellJan 26, 2023
@0xabad1dea @stevE @kennwhite did you know you can also use geese as lawnmowers? ❤️ They eat it down to a much shorter height than sheep, which may or may not be appropriate for any particular industrial application. I visited a donkey sanctuary near Cardiff when I was a child and they had a flock of geese that mowed the grass. ❤️
Show threadFox LeeJan 26, 2023
@0x2ba22e11 @0xabad1dea @stevE @kennwhite Apparently even better are wallabies. I don't know if wallabies share the kangaroo's inability to fart, but if so it's hard to imagine a better (or cuter) solarpunk lawnmower.
Show threadRichard BarrellJan 26, 2023
@TheArtGremblin @0xabad1dea @stevE @kennwhite "kangaroos can't fart" sounds like something you'd tell gullible tourists in order to cause an incident that would be hilarious to you but inconvenient for the tourist. 😁
Show threadLiminal FictionJan 26, 2023
@kennwhite @0xabad1dea Oooh that's awesome. TY for sharing. :)
Show thread🪻Gigi_Bean🪻Jan 26, 2023
@kennwhite @0xabad1dea
I think this is a great to alternative. Yay!
Show threadNarevalomJan 26, 2023
@0xabad1dea @kennwhite psssst @animaritos
Show threadvarelseJan 26, 2023
@kennwhite @0xabad1dea Does anybody else use this name? Googling "solarpunk grazers" returns only this post. Although it would be nice if it's true.
Show threadabekonge (OLD - NOW MOVED)Jan 26, 2023
@varelse @kennwhite @[email protected] it’s just prefiguration
Show threadporatluJan 26, 2023
@varelse @kennwhite @0xabad1dea That’s because they’re having you on. The actual name is #HyperLightDrifter
Show threadJoseph ClarkJan 26, 2023
@0xabad1dea @kennwhite @sc_griffith
Show threadMar'questorJan 26, 2023
@kennwhite @0xabad1dea
Groups of sheep are flocks, not herds
Show threadMaciej J. Hajduk Jan 26, 2023
@kennwhite
Cool, I need solar farm 🚜 😎
@0xabad1dea
Show threadDebraMilazzoShaJan 26, 2023
@kennwhite @0xabad1dea in Maine we have farmers' fields destroyed by forever chemicals. I hope that solar farms can be erected in those fields. No grazing, but at least the land has a use.
Show threadPixÉlysé ReclusJan 26, 2023
@kennwhite @0xabad1dea As Mark Fisher (and Fredric Jameson) used to say, "it is easier to imagine an end to the world than an end to capitalism". #solarpunk helps make it easier to imagine a world beyond the ecological-capitalist crisis.
Show thread3nzof3rrari3Jan 26, 2023

@kennwhite @0xabad1dea

capitalism is stealing the labor power of the shepherd and sun farmer but commodity fetishism mystifies the social power relations to you, sir! And the media within the administrative-bureaucratic apparatus is complicit, promoting good PR, and a eco-friendly image. I hope that wool turtle neck chokes you, capitalist pig!

solar punk image vs solar punk reality

Show threadMatthew CloverJan 26, 2023
@kennwhite @0xabad1dea well that is really cool.
Show threadmicrotherionJan 26, 2023
@kennwhite @0xabad1dea @cstross I wonder whether those Sheep ever Look Up?
Show threadCat WestJan 26, 2023
@kennwhite @0xabad1dea Because goats would jump on the panels?
Show threadWade WainioJan 26, 2023
@kennwhite @0xabad1dea Perfect. 😜
Show threadSallydJan 26, 2023
@kennwhite @0xabad1dea
We have wind turbines not too far from us as well as sheep grazing beneath them. All happily coexist.
Show threadThe Duality of XanJan 26, 2023
@0xabad1dea @kennwhite There’s at least one solar farm out there which grows wildflowers around their panels and keeps beehives. They sell “solar honey” 😊
Show threadIan K Tindale Jan 26, 2023
@kennwhite @XanIndigo @0xabad1dea Trout could be farmed intermingled, producing solar rainbow trout
Show threadBill O’Slarty-BartfastJan 26, 2023
@kennwhite @0xabad1dea the fleece is also a higher quality as the sheep shelter beneath the panels.
Win win.
Show threadBethbyJan 26, 2023
@kennwhite @0xabad1dea
Perfect
Show threadFish HeadJan 26, 2023

@kennwhite @0xabad1dea

“Solarpunk” – just the word gave me nice drifty, smiley feeling.

Show threadChuffMeisterJan 26, 2023
@kennwhite @0xabad1dea do you have any recipes?
Show threadStillKindaHopingJan 26, 2023
@kennwhite
Hey, that's my friend, Eddy! Can't blame him. 🐑🐑 Our last #gig was eating the grass around an #oil well. Good for you, Eddy! 👍
@0xabad1dea @AdditionalQuench
@morganrees