Sheep and solar, a perfect match? CQUniversity researcher awarded Fulbright Scholarship to find out
As solar farms expand across regional Australia, one CQUniversity researcher is heading to the United States to explore whether sheep and solar panels could share the same paddock and offer farmers a new source of income.
CQUniversity’s Dr Amy Bates has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to investigate how livestock grazing can be integrated into large-scale solar developments, creating new opportunities for both farmers and Australia’s renewable energy transition.
From February 2027, Dr Bates will spend eight months at The Ohio State University studying “solar grazing”, where sheep are used to control vegetation growth beneath solar arrays.
The approach could help to minimise slashing or herbicide use, while allowing agricultural production to continue on land otherwise repurposed by energy infrastructure.
“Solar farms need to manage vegetation, so panels aren’t shaded and sheep are a natural fit,” Dr Bates said.
“They’re the right height, relatively gentle around infrastructure and can turn that vegetation into a productive system for farmers.”
With some of Australia’s largest solar projects being developed on former grazing land, particularly in regional areas, the research aims to understand how the model could work at scale locally.
Dr Bates said combining livestock and energy production, a practice known as ‘agrisolar’, could help farmers diversify income without losing access to productive land.
“There is real potential for agriculture and renewable energy to work together,” Dr Bates said.
“The United States already has established systems, while Australia has large sheep flocks and a rapidly expanding solar footprint.
“This research is about understanding what works, what doesn’t and how we can adapt those models for Australian conditions.”
During the placement, Dr Bates will work with leading agrisolar researchers to examine how these integrated agricultural and energy production systems are managed, and survey solar developers, livestock producers and communities about the benefits and challenges.
The project will also explore public perceptions of livestock grazing within solar farms, an emerging issue as renewable developments move further into agricultural regions.
Dr Bates said the opportunity to collaborate internationally would help fast-track knowledge for Australian producers.
“I’m still a little shocked to receive the Fulbright — it’s an incredible honour,” Dr Bates said.
“But more importantly, it’s a chance to bring back practical insights that could benefit farmers and regional communities.”
Dr Bates’ findings are expected to inform future research opportunities between agricultural and solar industries in Australia and the United States, as both agriculture and energy sectors look for ways to balance productivity with the transition to renewable energy.
About Dr Bates & The Fullbright Scholarship
Dr Bates joined CQUniversity in 2024 and works across research projects in Australia and the Pacific focused on improving livestock productivity and supporting smallholder farmers.
Earlier this month, she was awarded the inaugural Emerging Animal Scientist Award at the Australian Association of Animal Sciences (AAAS) 2026 Biennial Conference in Adelaide. The national award recognised her outstanding contribution to animal science during the biennium.
Her work includes exploring new feed options for cattle in northern Australia and helping smallholder farmers in Vanuatu improve cattle productivity and profitability through farm planning and training programs.
Dr Bates will begin her Fulbright placement in February 2027.
The Fulbright Scholarship is one of the world’s most prestigious international scholarship programs, promoting collaboration and cultural exchange between other countries, including Australia, and the United States for more than 80 years.
