NC State University and Nevados, a single-axis solar tracker manufacturer, held a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday launching a program and facility for the study and implementation of agrivoltaics.
Credit: NC Clean Energy Technology Center
The NC State Agrivoltaics Training Site is the first of its kind in the Southeast, where students and solar professionals can learn practices in agrivoltaics and the installation of solar technology that enables installation on steep terrain through Nevados’ proprietary tracker technology. Agrivoltaics is the co-location of solar panels and agricultural activities — including food and livestock production — on the same land.
“This new solar training site is a testament to the power of partnership,” said Chris Frey, associate dean for research & infrastructure at the College of Engineering. “It is an amazing interdisciplinary collaboration between NC State’s Clean Energy Technology Center, the Department of Animal Science and Nevados, a manufacturer of solar tracking systems. And it positions NC State as a continuing leader in energy and agricultural education for students and professionals throughout their careers.”
Yesterday’s launch included a preview of the university’s new agrivoltaics training, Agrivoltaics in Action: Enhancing Operations and Maintenance in Livestock-Integrated Solar Sites. This course, which will launch in Spring 2026, equips solar professionals with essential skills for navigating grazed solar sites, including working with electric fencing, guardian animals and sheep-based vegetation management, while offering strategies to streamline operations and maintenance and foster collaboration between solar operators and grazing professionals.
“Grazing sheep on solar farms offers a multitude of benefits for the solar and sheep industry,” said Dr. Andrew Weaver, Assistant Professor of Animal Science. “These benefits include reduced mowing needs and more cost effective vegetation management, farmland preservation, improved public perception, and career opportunities for local sheep producers. The NC State Agrivoltaics Training Site will provide an invaluable opportunity to train our students and farmers in the best management practices for solar grazing. This training site isn’t just about solar energy; it’s about pioneering the future of sheep production – a future that is more resilient, productive, and profitable for North Carolina and the world.”
The training site, including three rows of Nevados’ TRACE All Terrain Tracker system and three types of solar modules, will be used for agrivoltaics education, especially solar grazing, and solar technician training through the NC Clean Energy Technology Center, Nevados and the Department of Animal Science
News item from the NC Clean Energy Technology Center
