Setting up a solar farm requires many criteria to be fulfilled while selecting the land. Not every piece of land is beneficial for solar production. So, to determine whether you qualify for solar leasing, contact a solar developer who can survey you, access it, and provide you with feedback. The most general guidelines that need to be followed are –
- Land size
At least 4 to 8 acres of land is required to produce 1 megawatt solar power. To install the solar power alone, at least 2 to 3 acres of land is needed. So, adjusting to all these, a solar developer usually chooses an ideal site of 10 acres or more. Much supporting solar equipment must be installed, and the rest of the land is required.
- Check the restrictions
You should also be aware of whether there are any restrictions on your land and go through the local zoning regulations for clear information before you approach a solar developer. It is also essential to understand how many homes would benefit from the solar site for purchase. Usually, 1 megawatt of solar power should be able to supply energy to 173 homes.
- Condition of the land
Before leasing out the land, determine the condition of the land, which should be precisely monitored. It should be clear and flat without any kind of inclination. The land should get enough access to sunlight throughout the years. There should not be any residential buildings nearby to block the sunlight. It should be free from wetlands. There should be enough soil stabilities for the solar equipment to be installed. Lastly, near the solar panel, there should be limited vegetation chances to remove the chances of shade.
- Proximity to substation
A substation is built to gather solar energy into an electrical grid. Thus, the substation should be closer to the land; the preferred distance is usually 2 miles. The further away the substation is from the land, the more money a solar developer spends to bridge the gap. Also, there should be access to three-phase power lines or utility poles to transfer the energy.
- Local regulation
While developing the lease agreement, it should follow local laws and regulations. According to certain rules, only a specific percentage of the land can be used. Also, you should consider the ecological challenges present in terms of preserving the habitat of any particular plant or animal on the land. So, checking out the potential challenges one faces from leasing the ground is essential.
- Chances of natural disaster
One of the biggest concerns of a solar farm developer is natural disasters or floods. The solar panels must be installed on the ground, usually a few feet away from potential water damage. If the land is at flood risk, then the solar farm installation cannot happen. Otherwise, the solar panel has to be mounted in a higher position, which increases the cost and is also not worth it.
Summing it up
Various elements, such as market demand and installation cost, need to be considered. After addressing all the challenges, calculate the solar acre rent, which varies from $250 to $2,000 or more depending on the solar developer’s budget. To get a proper estimation of the budget, check Inthequeuellc.com.
