The workers at the Rogane solar farm near the small town of Kamenica in eastern Kosovo found themselves struggling with a tedious and physically exhausting task – mowing the grass around the solar panels. But they discovered an ingenious solution – a flock of sheep.
Over 100 sheep and a few goats graze twice a week at the solar farm, where more than 12,000 photovoltaic panels are installed. This environmentally friendly solution has proved to be beneficial for both the workers and the sheep. “The workers realised that mowing the fields was very hard, they asked me whether I could bring my sheep,” said 72-year-old shepherd Rexhep Rrudhani. “The sheep eat all kind of grass here, good or bad grass, and they clean everything. We are all benefiting.”
Kosovo, with its proven low-grade lignite coal reserves, is heavily dependent on coal, with more than 90% of its electricity produced from coal and the rest from renewables, mainly wind and solar. However, the country is committed to phasing out coal by 2050 and is exploring alternative, sustainable energy sources.
“We are not spending any petrol running lawnmowers,” said Arber Maliqi, manager of the solar plant. “Producing power from the sun and cutting grass with sheep means things here go green twice.”
The innovative use of sheep at the Rogane solar farm is an example of how renewable energy and agriculture can work together to create a more sustainable future. As the world looks for ways to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change, innovative solutions like this one offer hope and inspiration for a greener tomorrow.
