Using your land for a solar farm is a great investment, not only are you making money, you’re also helping reduce carbon emissions. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), in 2016, solar installations represented the largest source of new energy generating capacity in the United States, beating out other green energy-rivals such as natural gas and wind.
How much money can a solar farm make?
Solar developers are constantly looking for land to build new solar projects, this gives you the opportunity to lease your unused land and make some money. According to Landmark Dividend, the average solar farm profit can range per acre depending on the location. Typically, solar farms require a minimum of 5 acres of land but can span hundreds of acres. Think of how easily you can profit from putting solar panels on land that you weren't using anyway!
How do I know if my land is right for a solar farm?
There are a few factors that determine whether or not your land is suitable for a solar farm. Here’s what you need to consider:
- Amount of land available: Approximately 100 square feet is required for every 1 kW of solar panels needed. Let’s look at an example from Landmark Dividend. “For a 1mW solar PV power plant, the area required is about 2.5 acres or 100,000 square feet. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this amount of land is just for the panels themselves, and doesn’t include the space required for other solar equipment, which can bring the total closer to about 4 acres for a 1mW farm.”
- Amount of sunlight: It’s pretty obvious that in order for the solar panels to create energy, they need to have full access to the sun's rays. This means that the land should be free of trees, buildings or other tall objects that may cast a shadow. Sometimes, these obstructions can be removed but other times it may make the project too costly.
- Close proximity to three-phase power: High voltage transmission lines must be close to your land so that the energy created can be sold to utilities.
Not sure if your land meets these criteria? Don’t worry, our experts will conduct a complete site assessment and provide you with a proposal showing the expected revenue.
My land does meet the requirements, what’s next?
YSG Solar covers all the up-front costs that normally make an investment in a medium-to-large scale solar development prohibitive. We simply rent your property and provide you with a lucrative source of recurring income each month—immediately.
With your approval, we build and operate everything. YSG Solar has years of experience making the process as easy and hassle-free as possible. We handle all permitting, approvals and property taxes along the way. Even maintenance is included!
Start earning right away—there’s no up-front investment, and you’ll see returns as soon as your solar farm begins generating clean, sustainable energy for your community.
To learn more about leasing your land check out NYSERDA’s land-lease-considerations fact sheet and watch our video!
Get a free consultation by contacting us. Send an email or call 212.389.9215 today!
