Trends in Solar Farm Vegetation Management

Sheep, Drones and Herbicides: Which Is Right for Your Solar Farm Weed Control Needs?

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Sheep, drones, satellites and artificial intelligence may not seem to have much in common, but they’re all trends in solar farm vegetation management. Some solar farms even use goats instead of lawnmowers. The goal of all of these is the same: control tall weeds that can shade panels, cause damage and increase wildfire risk. Controlling weeds also keeps fence lines clear and free of damage and improves the appearance of solar sites.

Pros and Cons of Current Trends

Sheep

Effective at grazing weeds down.
Don’t help reduce the seed bank.
Must be managed through a third party.

Drones and satellites/artificial intelligence

Can detect weed problems at remote sites in real-time.
Excellent for identifying wildfire risks.
Doesn’t include a weed control plan.

Mowing without herbicides

Provides quick results.
Doesn’t reduce the seed bank, and may actually increase it.
Ongoing labor costs.
Debris thrown by equipment can damage panels.

Herbicides: A Range of Solutions

An application plan that combines our innovative herbicides with mechanical methods provides effective weed control, flexibility and savings.

This approach delivers:

Season-long vegetation control with one application.
Reduced weed seed bank, leading to savings over time.
Reduced need for mowing.
Promotion of desirable, low-growing vegetation that then competes with weeds.
Reduced erosion and an alternative to bareground.
Savings due to reduced labor and long-term control.

Esplanade^® 200 SC herbicide - A preemergence herbicide that delivers season-long control around fence lines, bareground, and below and between panels.
Method^® 240SL herbicide - A preemergence and postemergence product for long residual control of broadleaf weeds in a variety of situations.
Plainview^® SC herbicide - A bareground weed control solution that provides long residual, broad-spectrum control of annual and perennial broadleaf weeds and grasses and reduces the need for glyphosate.
Esplanade^® Sure herbicide - Highly effective premix bareground control for sites where injury to off-target vegetation may be a concern. Provides preemergence and postemergence control in non-crop areas.
Derigo^® herbicide - Controls many invasive grasses and broadleaf weeds while promoting healthy grass cover under and between panels, which limits erosion.