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The Growing Demand for Solar Land Leases in Rural America

There has been a rise in interest in solar development in rural areas across the United States. As solar incentives become more lucrative and state renewable energy mandates increase, solar developers and land owners are taking advantage of this opportunity by developing community solar and solar farms. According to the EIA, an additional 26 gigawatts of solar farm development is projected to go online in 2025, with another 22 gigawatts slated for 2026. In this article, we will explore why solar land leases are booming across the country, their impact on landowners, and the opportunities to participate in the growing solar economy. 

The Rise Of Solar Development In Rural Areas

As the demand for solar energy grows, developers are looking for space to build projects. Rural landowners are constantly being targeted for solar development due to their access to open farmland and sun exposure. These proposed development projects include both community solar and utility-scale solar, each of which has different payment structures and lease opportunities for landowners. If you own open land and are interested in partaking in a solar project, it’s best to first understand if your land is a good fit for a solar lease. A solar developer can evaluate your land to determine its potential and even present you with a letter of intent to proceed with a project. 

Rural Land That’s In High Demand

Developing a large-scale solar system is no easy feat. Costs can quickly grow into the millions of dollars and project risk for developers is a constant threat. With that said, solar companies are searching for rural land that eliminates some of this project risk. Some of the factors that make land more attractive for solar development include:

  • Flat land that has a minimum of 10 contiguous acres.
  • Land that is in close proximity to an electrical grid substation.
  • Land that is located in communities with little opposition to solar development.
  • Land that has maximum sun exposure with little tree cover. 

In order to maximize your profit through a solar land lease, you should consider these factors before speaking with a solar developer. 

How Solar Energy Expansion Benefits Rural Communities

The rise in solar expansion has a number of benefits for rural communities. 

Economic Impact

Solar farm construction creates several opportunities in rural communities. It creates new streams of income for farmers and landowners who participate in these projects by leasing their land. It generates tax revenue for local governments and school districts and also creates local jobs.

Community Development

Solar project investments also have indirect impacts on the community from infrastructure improvements in order to help solar projects come to fruition, access to clean energy for community solar developments, and environmental benefits from land conservation. 

Solar Project Development Challenges

Rural solar development comes with an array of challenges for developers in rural areas. There could be many zoning and permitting requirements for solar land leasing in specific areas. This is a challenge that developers and landowners must navigate prior to entering into any agreements. Furthermore, the regulatory red tape around gaining solar interconnection can be complex. Interconnection queues in many different regions are long and subject to extreme delay. Lastly, some communities might face pushback from residents on solar development. There are many misconceptions related to community solar and these objections could put pressure on local regulators to block projects from happening. 

Forecasting Solar Growth In Rural America

The EIA projects that renewable energy generation will supply 44% of U.S. electricity by 2050. This projection means that there will continue to be a significant amount of solar development throughout rural America. We project that new local zoning ordinances will take effect to address solar projects in a more efficient manner. Furthermore, the increased interest in solar from utilities will drive additional energy incentives and solar leases throughout the country. 

Interested In Exploring A Solar Lease For Your Land?

Today, there’s more interest than ever in open land for solar development. If you are a farmer or landowner with access to open, flat land near utility lines, we are interested in speaking with you. Our team of solar developers has decades of experience negotiating land leases, handling project permitting, and bringing solar developments to fruition. Contact us today for a free land assessment so you can determine if your property is right for solar. 

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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.