Kenn WhiteJan 26, 2023
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. 🤘
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 threaddavey
@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.
Jan 28, 2023 at 11:14pmWeb
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.