If you’re a landowner and you have acres of unused land lying around, you might be thinking about how to get a solar farm on your land so you can create more income. The answer lies in leasing out your land to a solar company. It’s a brilliant way to give back to the environment and make money at the same time. Many commercial landowners have already ventured down this path. They have leased their land to companies and private institutions, which have installed solar panels on the land to generate electricity by creating solar farms.
The best part is that you are giving back to the community and can take advantage of the extra income generated by you selling your land off to someone else. There are plenty of good things that can come about when you lease your land to solar companies, as they can produce excess power and then sell it off to the national grid. You have come to the right place if you’re new to solar energy but have land that can be used as a solar farm.
We will be discussing the basics of a solar farm and what you can do to build your own solar farm right here. The information shared below will help you identify suitable companies you can lease your land to and make some extra income on the side. So, without further ado, let’s begin.
Should I Put A Solar Farm on my Land?
There are many benefits to getting a solar farm on your land, as it allows you to get into renewable energy and reduce your carbon footprint on the environment. Whatever your reasons to get a solar farm on your land, you should ensure that you do proper research on the solar developer because that’s the only way you will be able to find suitable candidates for your solar farm.
Once you have decided that your spare land will turn into a solar farm, you should contact solar developers who may be interested in turning your land into a solar farm. Sit down with them and discuss your options, the kind of money you will make by leasing your land to a solar developer, and what options they present you with.
Can I Build My Own Solar Farm?
Yes, if you have around twenty to twenty-five acres worth of land lying around and it is not being used for any other purpose, you can build your own solar farm on that land. The process isn’t as simple as it looks, as you will need to get a permit for converting your land into a solar farm. However, that is the least of your troubles because getting a permit is easy when compared to the design and installation expertise needed to build a solar farm.
You must look at different solar panel developers and purchase different-sized solar panels from them. You will need to install the solar panels on your farm and look after their maintenance. So, even if you have decided to convert your land into a solar farm, you must look at plenty of things before going ahead and getting a solar farm.
Can I Lease My Land for a Solar Farm?
Yes, you can lease your land to a solar panel developer or a municipality that buys solar panels and make some extra income on the side. In fact, it’s one of the most popular options out there today because solar panel companies will come and look at your land and then offer you an estimate for the amount of money you can make by leasing your land to them.
However, you should research while leasing your land to a solar farm because several factors come into play. You must ensure that the solar developer you are leasing your land to is a reliable and reputable company. That way, you won’t have to worry about unpaid lease payments further down the line.
How Much Can I Make Leasing My Land for a Solar Panel Farm?
Most landowners ask this question, and it is a genuine query that should be asked before you end up leasing your land to a solar developer. The short answer is that you can make somewhere between $300 to $2,200 per acre every year by leasing your land for a solar farm. How much you end up making will depend on the overall size of your farm and the length of the lease for your solar farm.
The main reason solar companies may choose your land for a solar farm is if it’s in close proximity to a power grid. That makes the land more feasible for them as they can simply sell the excess electricity generated from the solar farm and use it to power the national grid. You can expect a significant sum of money as a lease from solar companies as a result.
You can make some extra money on the side by leasing your land to a solar farm and can rest assured that you are generating a healthy income. That’s why it’s a good idea to lease your land for a solar farm because you will be the one making all the profits at the end of the day.
Pros and Cons of Leasing Land to Solar Companies
That brings us to the final part of the equation: why you should lease your land to solar companies for a solar farm. There are pros and cons to this solution, and since we want you to have the complete picture, we will be detailing them below. Here are some of the pros of leasing your land to a solar company for a solar farm:
- Generates some extra cash on the sides
- You are giving back to the environment in the form of renewable energy
- Your land is not lying around uselessly
- Your energy costs go down as you already have solar panels installed on your farm
- You can practice sustainable farming methods
Now that you’re familiar with the pros let’s discuss the cons of leasing your land to a solar company. You will be surprised to learn about them as we discussed how it is a great idea to lease your land to a solar company. However, there are some drawbacks, which are as follows:
- You must commit to a long-term contract
- There is very little that you can do with the rest of the land
- You may face issues while transferring property to someone else
These are the main concerns you will face when thinking about getting a solar farm on your land.
Conclusion
You can enjoy many great things by getting a solar farm on your land. Farmers and landowners who have acres of unused land can lease them out to solar companies and get paid a mini fortune. However, they must be prepared to enter into a long-term contract to see them rewarded handsomely. You will also be giving back to the community, and investing in renewable energy is always a bright idea that will reap benefits for you in the future.
