{"id":19391,"date":"2023-05-16T17:00:23","date_gmt":"2023-05-16T17:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/news\/supporting-sheep-and-local-biodiversity-at-elm-branch-and-briar-creek-solar-farms\/"},"modified":"2025-12-19T18:00:44","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T18:00:44","slug":"supporting-sheep-and-local-biodiversity-at-elm-branch-and-briar-creek-solar-farms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/us\/news\/supporting-sheep-and-local-biodiversity-at-elm-branch-and-briar-creek-solar-farms\/","title":{"rendered":"Supporting sheep and local biodiversity at Elm Branch and Briar Creek solar farms"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Supporting sheep farming, honey production and biodiversity at Elm Branch and Briar Creek solar farms <\/h1>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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Solar farms can simultaneously support renewable energy generation and thriving ecosystems. Two Lightsource bp projects in Texas are showing America how it\u2019s done: increasing local biodiversity together with using land for agricultural production.<\/p>\n

Elm Branch<\/a> and Briar Creek<\/a> solar farms are located 40 miles south of Dallas. In addition to providing a combined 316MW of renewable energy, the projects are increasing local biodiversity\u2014the variety of species in the area.<\/p>\n\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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Blue Bonnets, the Texas state flower, in bloom at Elm Branch Solar<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Areas on both sites have been planted with a specialized seed mix, designed by a team of experts to offer habitat for pollinating insects and nutritious forage for sheep. The seed mix contains numerous native grasses, including sand dropseed, little bluestem, blue grama, sideoats grama, Virginia wildrye and western wheatgrass. Selecting species that are native to the area ensures they\u2019ll acclimate and thrive, as well as providing a home for native insects, birds and more. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Partnerships for pollinators: Habitat and beekeeping at the solar farm<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Pollinators are crucial for supporting agriculture worldwide but populations have been declining due to habitat loss and pesticide use. The solar farms are providing a safe home for the bees and butterflies that pollinate surrounding farmland. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The seed mix underneath the panels also contains three species of pollinator-friendly clover, a rich source of pollen and nectar for bees and butterflies. In addition, Briar Creek is also home to Lightsource bp\u2019s first solar honey operation in the United States.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the families leasing land for the solar farm has set up a bee yard among wildflowers. With hives surrounded by Illinois bundleflower, Engleman daisy, Partridge pea, Black-eyed Susan, Maximilian sunflower and more, the bees at the solar farm will be able to forage for pollen and nectar in the rich habitat on-site.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The partnership is helping a new generation grow the family\u2019s bee business, with the landowner\u2019s son-in-law tending to the honey production. Lightsource bp has a contract to purchase 500 jars of honey from the solar farm annually. The family will be able to sell the rest at their discretion, building up their bee business one jar at a time. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sheep grazing at the solar farm<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n