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Is Your Land A Good Fit For A Solar Land Lease?

Interested in a Solar Land Lease? Here is everything you need to know if your land is a viable site for a solar farm.

As a landowner, you might be looking for ways to create an additional revenue stream or make good use of unused acreage. Thankfully, a solar land lease is a great option that will accomplish both. When considering the option for a solar land lease, it’s important to know that not all land is suitable for solar development. Factors like terrain, access to power lines, and even the state where your land is located can play a major factor in the viability of the project. So it’s important to understand the factors that go into determining if your land is a good fit. This blog post will help educate landowners on what goes into deciding whether or not to lease their land for solar development.

What is a solar land lease?

For landowners looking for an innovative way to get the most out of their property, solar land leasing is an excellent option to consider. A solar land lease allows landowners to rent out their acreage to solar developers and receive compensation for electricity production generated from solar panels placed on their land. With solar energy becoming increasingly popular around the world, a solar land lease allows landowners to take advantage of this trend without any long-term commitment or investments. Not only does solar land leasing create a new source of income for landowners, but it also helps reduce emissions and make more renewable energy available efficiently and cost-effectively.

How much revenue can be generated through a solar land lease?

A solar land lease is an extremely profitable business decision for any landowner. By leasing your land to a solar energy company, you can achieve a considerable amount of monthly revenue which can help you take care of your financial obligations with ease. For example, Genie Solar Energy offers solar land leases at $1,000 per acre, per year and provides other advantages including potential tax credits or payouts when solar projects become operational. Therefore, solar land leases are not only a great way of generating new revenue but also ensuring long-term sustainability making it an ideal option for any property owner.

Here are some key factors to determine if your land is a good fit for a solar land lease.

If you are a landowner looking to utilize solar energy for the electrification of your land holdings, then you will want to ensure that your land is a good fit for a solar land lease. To do this, there are several key factors to consider as they may impact the lease structure and/or whether your plot of land is even suitable. These include researching local zoning regulations, regulation regarding shading and vegetation around the proposed solar equipment, access points and routes for servicing any potential solar infrastructure, potential hazards on the site like power lines or areas that experience extreme weather events, etc. While it can seem daunting to conduct all the necessary research to get started, fully understanding these points can help determine if a solar land lease is right for you and your property.

1. Land Terrain

When considering if solar is a viable option for your land, it’s important to understand the terrain of your property. Is it flat or hilly? Are there any obstructions or obstacles present? Are there rocky areas or bodies of water? These can all affect the amount of construction that would be needed for the project, and in some cases could be a challenge for developers. Not every situation is a deal breaker, however exploring how the landscape may impact a potential solar lease is an essential step to consider.

2. Access to the Grid – Three Phase Power

It’s important to consider if your land is suitable for the technology involved in a solar farm. Specifically, it should be located within reach of a reliable power source for connecting the solar farm to the grid. This means that the land should have an appropriate power source located nearby, such as a local power line or substation, which is necessary for providing the solar farm with the electricity it needs to operate.

The power source should be easily accessible, specifically there-phase power lines. Having three-phase power is critical to successfully running a sustainable solar land lease project. Three-phase power is a sophisticated AC circuit, made up of three wires and progressing each signal 120 degrees apart. While single-phase power lines are usually found in residential areas, it’s generally only commercial and industrial sites that use the more advanced three-phase variant. The idea behind connecting a solar system directly into the three series of AC lines is to make the solar creation process incredibly efficient. Therefor, if you’re looking to successfully launch a solar farm on your land; having access to these power lines along or close to your proposed property will be essential components for success.

Without this connection, it will not be able to participate in net metering opportunities, meaning you won’t be able to sell the electricity generated at optimal rates. This makes it incredibly important that your land is located close enough to an existing power source to benefit from the full advantages of leasing your land for solar energy production.

3. Road Access

Access to public roads is another key factor. This is necessary to transport any materials or equipment that may be necessary for the installation or maintenance of the system. Without direct access to public roads, the costs associated with bringing materials and equipment onto the site could become quite expensive which may significantly reduce the overall value of the lease agreement. Therefore, before agreeing, make sure that your property is equipped with adequate access to public roads.

4. States with Deregulated Energy

If you’re a landowner and looking to cash in on the solar energy craze, states with deregulated energy are the most advantageous locations for a solar land lease. By choosing an area with deregulated energy markets, you can enter contracts that have been approved or tailored for your location to maximize the benefits of your solar land lease. You’ll also be able to take advantage of potential incentives that may be available through local renewable-energy programs, as well as other tax advantages. Though every state offers different regulations, selecting a state with deregulated energy is one of the best ways to get started on your own sustainable solar project.

In 2022, there are 29 states with deregulated electricity. View the full list of deregulated electricity states here.

How to Get Started with a Solar Land Lease

If you’re interested in solar energy and have land that could potentially support solar development, a solar land lease can be an ideal option. At Genie Solar Energy we provide free land assessments to help owners determine the viability of solar projects on their properties. All you need to do is reach out and we’ll come out and inspect your land free of charge – no strings attached! Your solar project might just hold the key to unlocking substantial financial rewards, so why wait? Contact us today to get your solar journey started!

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Strict Adherence To Local Law

Landowners considering leasing their land to Genie Solar Energy can have full confidence in our meticulous adherence to legal and regulatory standards at all levels. Our team not only rigorously follows local township laws, ordinances, and building codes but also ensures compliance with state and federal regulations. The extensive experience and deep expertise of our team enable us to expertly navigate the complex legal landscape that governs solar energy projects.

This capability is crucial, as non-compliance can lead to severe fines or even project shutdowns. By choosing Genie Solar Energy, landowners partner with a company that prioritizes lawful operation and risk mitigation, ensuring that every project progresses smoothly and securely from conception through completion and operation.

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Proven Track Record

Landowners looking to lease their land for solar projects should consider Genie Solar Energy, a subsidiary of the established Genie Energy conglomerate, which boasts a proven track record of success in the solar industry. With over 1.8 million solar panels installed, Genie Solar Energy is one of the nation’s leading solar development firms. Our dedicated team includes over 250 professional solar installers, ensuring high-quality and efficient project execution.

This extensive experience and scale reflect our capability to handle projects of any size, offering landowners reliability and expertise that translates into maximized energy production and optimized financial returns from their leased land. Partnering with Genie Solar Energy means choosing a leader with a proven commitment to advancing solar energy and delivering tangible benefits to our partners and the communities we serve.

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Local Solar Development Experience

Landowners considering leasing their land to Genie Solar Energy can take advantage of our unparalleled experience and expertise with local ordinances, laws, and building codes across various municipalities and townships nationwide. Our extensive footprint and history of working within diverse regulatory environments equip us with a deep understanding of local requirements. This knowledge ensures that every solar project we undertake complies seamlessly with area-specific regulations, thus minimizing delays and avoiding potential legal and regulatory hurdles.

For landowners, this means a smoother, faster project approval process and a more efficient path to generating returns from your leased land. By partnering with Genie Solar Energy, you benefit from our adept navigation through the complexities of local regulations, ensuring that your land’s transformation into a productive solar farm is both compliant and expedient.

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Extensive Energy Experience

Landowners considering leasing their land for solar projects will find a robust and comprehensive partner in Genie Solar Energy. As a subsidiary of the internationally recognized Genie Energy conglomerate, Genie Solar Energy is not just a leader in solar engineering and development; our team also brings extensive experience across the broader energy markets, including wholesale and retail electricity markets. This depth of expertise allows us to tailor solar solutions that are not only technically efficient but also economically optimized for each landowner’s specific circumstances.

By choosing Genie Solar Energy, you are partnering with a team that understands the intricacies of energy production and distribution, ensuring a profitable and seamless integration of your land into the solar energy landscape. This comprehensive approach guarantees that our solar projects deliver maximum value, making the most of our shared energy future.

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End-To-End Project Management

Working with Genie Solar Energy offers landowners a seamless and secure experience throughout the lifespan of a solar project. As part of the financially robust Genie Energy conglomerate, Genie Solar Energy manages all aspects of solar development projects from the initial planning and permitting stages through to construction, operation, and eventually decommissioning. This end-to-end involvement ensures that the same experienced team handles the project for decades, providing continuity and stability that many competitors cannot match.

Competitors often lack the resources to manage a project throughout its entire lifecycle and may sell the project to different companies at various stages, leading to potential inconsistencies in management and execution. By leasing their land to Genie Solar Energy, landowners benefit from a single, reliable partner who provides consistent oversight and maintains the highest standards throughout the duration of the project.

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Financial Prowess

Being backed by a publicly-traded company like Genie Energy, Genie Solar Energy brings significant financial stability and reliability, which is a considerable advantage for landowners considering leasing their property for a solar project. This financial strength ensures that Genie Solar Energy can see projects through from inception to operation without the risk of bankruptcy that might plague less financially secure competitors.

Moreover, whereas competitors might lack the funds to complete a project and be forced to sell it, Genie Solar Energy’s robust financial backing allows it to maintain ownership and direct control throughout the project’s lifecycle. For landowners, this means greater security in the lease agreement, timely and reliable lease payments, and the assurance that the project will be managed by a seasoned team with a solid track record in the energy market.