WiredInUSA September 2019

Green energy getting greener M A K I N G T H E NEWS

C2 Energy Capital LLC, an investor in renewable energy and storage assets, is expanding its “solar sheep” program for vegetation maintenance following a successful pilot program at a Jacksonville, Florida, solar site. The 7MW solar project is among suppliers for JEA’s SolarMax program, aimed at offering more clean energy options to commercial customers. C2 Energy Capital expects to reduce its vegetation maintenance costs through the new program, and will roll out the new program across ten solar projects. Additional benefits of the solar sheep program include providing new economic opportunities for regional sheep farmers.

farmer to control ground vegetation on the site.

Between 80 and 100 sheep graze the site daily. Due to its rural location, the sheep are protected by a Great Pyrenees guardian dog who lives among the flock. “In the next phase, we’ll scale up our solar sheep program to projects covering over 300 acres in three states, and drive down ground maintenance costs,” said Michael Howell, director of asset management for C2 Energy Capital. The company is also involved in a test program with site vegetation management through the use of wildflower plantings, to limit mowing while providing pollinating habitat for

insects. Front cover:

C2 Energy Capital LLC is expanding its “solar sheep” program. Photograph courtesy of C2 Energy Capital LLC

In early 2018, C2 Energy Capital began the test program with a regional sheep

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wiredInUSA September 2019