Doral Renewables combines classroom learning and field experience with Solar Grazing Management Certification

On Thursday, July 30, Doral Renewables LLC partnered with the American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA) to host a solar grazing management certification and information panel for solar industry professionals. From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., attendees met with one another, listened to panel discussions, asked questions, enjoyed a taco bar, and ended the day with a site tour at Mammoth Solar.

This was a part of an all-day program called “What to Expect When You’re Expecting Sheep,” and the introduction consisted of an explanation of grazing management and some fun facts about sheep to get the ball rolling. The discussion then shifted to challenges and opportunities associated with integrating sheep into solar energy production.

These discussions were intended to help developers understand why and how solar graziers operate. The one-day training exercise provided an opportunity for Doral Renewables team members to not only learn about the intangibles of solar grazing, but also observe up close while in the field. In addition to experts from ASGA, participants heard from solar grazers from Indiana, Wisconsin and Texas about their experiences and insights.

NovaSource Power Services also partnered with Doral Renewables to serve as the official Operations and Maintenance (O&M) and Generator Operator (GO) for the massive Mammoth Solar project located across Pulaski and Starke counties in Northwest Indiana.

“The most important thing we do each day is come to work, work safely, and return home safely to our families,” said Akshay Sagar, president and CEO of NovaSource Power Services. “This commitment extends beyond us; it encompasses our team, their families, and our communities.”

Mammoth Solar is made up of three primary projects in Northwest Indiana: Mammoth North, Mammoth South, and Mammoth Central. Through the Doral Renewables Solar Grazing Management Certification, there are motivated individuals who are ready to help the solar industry grow through smarter land management.

Landowner and Mammoth North Solar site local grazer, Billy Bope, led the tour in the field. With solar grazing, people in the community are able to get local, fresh food and fight against a lack of food within the community.

“I try to tell people there are two things that have got to happen in the future: we’ve got to power the world, and we’ve got to feed the world,” said Bope.

The site also featured a plethora of animals such as sheep, pasture pigs, chickens, rabbits, honeybees, and guardian dogs. Looking ahead, Bope hopes to continue to look at different types of animals and how to raise them on solar sites, in order to feed communities. He also stressed the opportunity for farming to be generational within families, as he has always worked on the farm. His daughter and son in law are working on the project full time.

“We can bring back some of our heritage farming to our community, and feed our communities locally,” said Bope.

To learn more about the Mammoth Solar project in Northwest Indiana, you can visit mammothsolarprojects.com. For more information on Doral Renewables, visit doral-llc.com.