Qinghai Solar Sheep Revolution: How Herders Double Income Under Panels

By the time dawn breaks over Qinghai province’s Gonghe county grasslands, Zhao Guofu is already tending his flock. His sheep graze freely beneath a vast, shimmering canopy – not clouds, but endless rows of photovoltaic panels. This is Zhao’s homecoming, a stark contrast to the life he left behind decades ago when degraded pastures forced him to join China’s migrant workforce.

Six years ago, Zhao returned to a transformed homeland. The degraded land he remembered is now part of Qinghai’s pioneering 10 million kilowatt new energy base. Where he once struggled to sustain 200 sheep, Zhao now manages a thriving flock of 800. Crucially, his income isn’t just from wool and meat. “Solar sheep” – grazing beneath the elevated panels – are the heart of an innovative model transforming lives and landscapes. Zhao also maintains the power station, cleaning panels and providing security, securing a steady second income. “I enjoy this free way of life,” Zhao shares. “The panels don’t just make electricity; they shelter the grass and protect the soil. Even in winter, there’s enough for the sheep.”

The Dual Livelihood Transforming Qinghai’s Grasslands

Zhao’s story is emblematic of Qinghai’s “livestock and photovoltaic complementarity” strategy. This elegant solution addresses multiple challenges: generating vast amounts of clean energy while restoring fragile ecosystems and revitalizing rural communities. The elevated panels (set 1.5 meters high, according to Wang Anwei, Director of Hainan Prefecture’s Energy Bureau) create a microclimate beneath. Sheep naturally control vegetation growth that could otherwise shade panels or become a fire hazard, eliminating the need for chemical herbicides or mechanical mowing.

For thousands of former herders like Zhao, this means stable employment beyond traditional grazing. They become “ecological stewards,” as described by Zhang Jingang, Executive Vice-Governor of Qinghai Province. Across the province, 146,000 herders have transitioned to these roles, protecting the environment they once solely relied upon for nomadic herding. The model directly benefits village collectives and thousands of households, creating diversified income streams and allowing families like Zhao’s to settle, with children attending local schools.

Ecological and Energy Gains Measured

The environmental benefits are quantifiable. Wang Anwei reports that the panels reduce surface wind speeds by 50% and evaporation by 30%, significantly aiding vegetation recovery. In the Talatan Photovoltaic Industry Park within Gonghe county, vegetation coverage has surged to over 80%, a remarkable 20-percentage-point increase since 2020. The returning organic matter enriches the soil, accelerating the reversal of desertification trends.

Zhang Jingang highlights the immense potential, noting Qinghai has over 100,000 square kilometers of desertified land suitable for similar clean energy development, with only 800 sq km currently utilized. By the end of 2024, the Qinghai base had integrated 30.66 million kilowatts of clean energy into the grid, representing over 46% of the province’s total clean energy capacity. This forms a “five-in-one” ecosystem combining hydropower, solar PV, wind, solar thermal, and energy storage, setting a benchmark for sustainable development. Zhang emphasizes the principle of “co-building, co-governing, and sharing ecological civilization” as central to the project’s success.

Under this glittering canopy of progress, Zhao Guofu and his fellow herders are no longer just tending sheep; they are pioneering a sustainable future where clean energy and ecological restoration empower communities. The Qinghai “solar sheep” model proves that environmental stewardship and economic prosperity can graze hand-in-hand, offering a replicable blueprint for arid regions worldwide. Discover how innovation is turning sunlight and grass into lasting prosperity.

Must Know: Qinghai’s Solar Sheep Initiative

• Q: What exactly are “solar sheep”?
  A: “Solar sheep” refers to livestock, primarily sheep, that graze on grasslands beneath strategically elevated solar photovoltaic panels. This integrated approach, known as “agrivoltaics” or “photovoltaic grazing,” combines renewable energy generation with sustainable agriculture. The sheep manage vegetation growth under the panels naturally.
• Q: How does this model increase herder income?
  A: Herders earn income through traditional livestock sales (wool, meat) from the grazing sheep. Crucially, many also gain employment directly related to the solar facility – roles include cleaning panels, providing site security, and general maintenance. This dual income stream has significantly boosted earnings, with herders like Zhao Guofu reporting their income doubling.
• Q: What are the proven ecological benefits of combining solar panels and grazing?
  A: Data from Hainan Prefecture’s Energy Bureau shows the panels reduce ground-level wind speed by 50% and evaporation by 30%, creating a microclimate that aids grass growth. Vegetation coverage in areas like the Talatan Photovoltaic Park has increased by 20 percentage points since 2020. The sheep prevent overgrowth without chemicals, enriching the soil naturally.
• Q: How scalable is this Qinghai solar energy and grazing model?
  A: Qinghai officials state the province has over 100,000 sq km of suitable desertified land, with less than 1% currently developed. The success of the existing 10 million kilowatt base and its integrated energy ecosystem (hydro, solar PV, wind, thermal, storage) demonstrates significant potential for expansion within Qinghai and as a model for similar arid regions globally.
• Q: Are herders still nomadic under this system?
  A: No, the model facilitates settlement. The improved microclimate under the panels often provides sufficient grazing year-round, eliminating the need for seasonal migration. Herders transition to stable, dual-income roles (“ecological stewards”), allowing families to settle in communities with access to housing, schools, and services.