Minnesota Power is swapping out the traditional lawn mower for sheep. For three weeks, sheep will trim things up at the Jean Duluth Solar Farm. Minnesota Landscaping, or MNL, in Otsego brought the herd of over 100.

Minnesota Power says ‘solar grazing’ is a cost effective option and is good for the environment.

Carrie Ryan, Minnesota Power’s Enterprise Project Manager, explained how to WDIO “We seeded this site with pollinator plants. It takes a few years for the pollinators to establish. So, maintaining the vegetation keeps the annuals and invasives from overtaking the pollinators.”

“We cut emissions. We cut fossil fuels,” said Jodee Nohner, the grazing manager of MNL, “Then you’re also getting a grass fed crop out of it that we can bring into the food system.”

Jean Duluth Solar has about 3,770 solar panels across 8.5 acres of land. Since 2022, the solar garden has produced enough electricity to power about 300 homes annually.