{"id":247673,"date":"2026-07-27T13:00:39","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T17:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/?p=247673"},"modified":"2026-07-27T13:05:28","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T17:05:28","slug":"goats-and-sheep-join-clean-energy-effort-at-parry-sound-solar-site","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/goats-and-sheep-join-clean-energy-effort-at-parry-sound-solar-site\/","title":{"rendered":"Goats and sheep join clean energy effort at Parry Sound solar site"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This story from Parry Sound caught our attention.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to a joint media release issued by Lakeland Solutions and the Town of Parry Sound last week, a herd of approximately 75 goats and sheep has been put to work at the Town of Parry Sound’s SPEEDIER solar site as part of an innovative pilot project aimed at improving renewable energy production through sustainable land management.<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/broadstreet-zone><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The initiative, launched by Lakeland Solutions in partnership with the Town of Parry Sound, uses managed grazing to control tall grass, brush, and invasive vegetation surrounding the 500-kilowatt solar installation at 57 MacFarlane Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The solar farm, located on a former landfill site, consists of 1,620 solar panels. As vegetation has grown over time, some of it has begun casting shadows on the panels, reducing their efficiency. Rather than relying solely on heavy machinery or repeated mowing, project partners are testing whether grazing animals can provide a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pilot project began on July 20 and is expected to run for approximately nine days. The grazing services are being provided by an Ontario-based vegetation management company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project SPEEDIER was developed to help Parry Sound move toward becoming a net-zero smart community. In addition to the solar photovoltaic system, the project includes battery energy storage, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and other distributed energy resources designed to improve local energy resilience while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the release, Town of Parry Sound Director of Public Works Mike Kearns said the project reflects the municipality’s commitment to practical sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“<\/em>This is exactly the kind of practical, creative approach that supports the Town’s sustainability goals while making responsible use of municipal land,”<\/em> Kearns said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike conventional vegetation clearing methods, goats and sheep are able to access uneven terrain and difficult-to-reach areas while naturally feeding on grasses and brush. Their grazing helps keep vegetation from shading the solar panels while reducing the environmental impacts associated with mechanical maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The release states that for Lakeland Solutions intern Olivia Cordner, the project combines several passions into one initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“<\/em>One thing I love most about sustainability is finding solutions that create benefits beyond their original purpose,” said Cordner. “Growing up on a farm and now pursuing Environmental Engineering at the University of Guelph, it’s been a joy helping with an initiative that supports clean energy production while creating opportunities for environmental stewardship, agriculture, and community collaboration. This project shows what’s possible when we bring people together around a shared goal and work with nature to achieve it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Officials say the pilot is intended to determine whether managed grazing can become a long-term vegetation management strategy that supports clean energy production while promoting biodiversity and sustainable infrastructure maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lakeland Solutions, a division of Bracebridge-based Lakeland Generation, specializes in developing innovative energy solutions across Ontario. The company says the grazing initiative is another example of how creative partnerships can help communities meet sustainability goals while maximizing the performance of renewable energy infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If successful, the pilot could provide a model for other solar facilities looking to balance operational efficiency with environmentally responsible land stewardship\u2014proving that sometimes the best maintenance crew comes on four legs.<\/p>\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This story from Parry Sound caught our attention. 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