Solar Fields, Sheep and Wetlands: A New Twist on Clean Power

A fresh idea is shaping up in north Baldwin County: a 4, 500‑acre solar field that will also host sheep and protect nearby wetlands. The plan aims to power a future data center for Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, while keeping the local environment in good shape. The developers say the site will generate 260 megawatts, enough to supply more than 210, 000 homes. About two thousand acres will hold the panels, and the remaining land will be left untouched to preserve water‑draining creeks that flow into the Mobile‑Tensaw River Delta, a hotspot of wildlife. To keep the landscape natural, panels will sit on steel posts rather than concrete pads. A flock of sheep will graze between the rows, a technique called agrivoltaics that blends farming with solar energy. The company also plans to plant native and pollinator species, which could improve soil quality after the panels retire.The project is backed by a $300 million investment. Silicon Ranch, the firm behind the farm, will own and run it; Alabama Power will buy the electricity. Meta has agreed to purchase all of the output, but the company does not directly work with Silicon Ranch on this site. Residents worry about disruption. The developers assure that no new roads, water or sewer lines will be needed and that traffic will not increase. They also promise tax revenue for the county. A second, larger field is expected further north, though details on its purpose remain unclear. The whole plan reflects a growing trend of combining renewable energy with land stewardship.