By 2030, 50% of the electricity in Maryland will need to come from renewable sources, such as solar. Other states have similar mandates. Solar panels capture sunlight and turn it into electricity. The panels can be mounted on rooftops or ground-mounted, which is common for larger systems. One of the biggest criticisms of solar is the loss of farmland or other valued lands. Another complaint is how the vegetation under and around the panels is maintained, usually with mowing and spraying, which seems contradictory to clean energy. Still others do not like how the arrays disrupt rural landscapes. The obvious solution is to combine solar with agricultural production â called agrovoltaics. While solar may eventually be compatible with many more types of agriculture, sheep are currently the favored enterprise. Sheep are economical and eco-friendly lawn mowers and weed eaters. They fit under the panels. They donât block sunshine. They donât usually damage the infrastructure.