Landowners
Scout is a nationwide land consulting firm dedicated to identifying sites suitable for energy projects and helping landowners sell or lease to the country’s top developers.
Scout Knows Land
Scout Land Consultants has evaluated over 100,000 properties and
helped more than 1,400 landowners successfully secure lease or purchase agreements for renewable energy projects.
Leasing Your Land for Solar
No Cost To Landowner
The developer covers the cost of development and construction, you receive rent checks.
Diversification of Land Use
Create a new revenue stream from unused land with a solar project.
Long-Term Fixed Annual Income
Earn between $500 - $5,000/AC per year for a fixed long-term lease.
Cleaner Planet
Solar is the fastest growing energy source…be a part of it!
As Featured In...
How Much Land Is Needed for Solar?
Solar farms need between 10 – 1,000 acres depending on the surrounding power lines in the area. Developers are interested in a wide variety of property types, located anywhere in North America where solar energy projects are economically feasible.
Our Process
1. Evaluate
2. Connect
3. Earn
We evaluate your property for free to determine the type of solar farm your land could accommodate.
Suitable Power Lines
Substations Nearby
No Floodplains or Wetlands
Minimal Slope or Topography
- Suitable Power Lines
- Substations Nearby
- No Floodplains or Wetlands
- Minimal Slope or Topography
Is Your Land The Right Fit For Solar?
Leasing your unused acres to solar developers allows you to generate extra monthly income, all while contributing to the renewable energy revolution that is working towards cleaner air and water.
Case Study
The Power of Community Solar
Help produce renewable energy for your community while reaping revenue rewards by transforming unused land into a solar farm. It’s an easy process to manage for the farmer and a mission-driven choice that has positive affects on the community at large.
Frequently Asked Questions
1 megawatt (MW) requires up to 4-8 acres of suitable land, depending on local characteristics of the property. Developers are interested in a wide variety of property types, located anywhere in North America where solar energy projects are economically feasible. Most developers seek to develop solar projects 10 MW or larger in size.
Land payments vary by geography as determined by local site conditions and the market cost of land. Most rent is significantly higher than current agricultural use. Find out how much your land could be worth by using our complimentary solar calculator.
You will not be responsible for increased personal or real property taxes as a result of a solar farm being constructed on your property. The developer (or project owner) will be responsible for working with the local assessor to handle tax assessments related to the solar facility.
Rent payments begin at the beginning of construction. Prior to this point, you will have full access to use your property as you see fit.
Yes! You are free to continue farming or using the property as you do currently prior to project construction. If you do farm, you may need to confirm you have the ability to terminate any farming operations in the event construction needs to begin in the middle of a crop cycle, thus causing crop loss. Many developers offer provisions in their leases to account for compensation in the event of loss.
Once constructed, the project owner’s Operations & Maintenance (O&M) team will be responsible for maintaining the site throughout the lifetime of the project. The landowner has no responsibility or obligation to maintain.
Should you wish to sell the land during the lease period, the Lease Agreement and payments will be assigned to the new landowner once the sale is complete.
Most developers seek to lease land exclusivity for up to 20-35 years, which is the market contract length for solar projects in the United States. The developer will be responsible for removing all the equipment that is located on your site and returning the land to its original condition at the end of the term. If in 35 years’ time there is an opportunity to propose another solar project, the developer will consult with you to see if an extension can be negotiated.
During the full lifecycle of the solar project, the project owner will work to mitigate any effect on the local environment as well as to reduce the aesthetic impact of the solar farm for you and nearby property owners.
Unfortunately, we have never been involved in a project that includes that provision. Here’s why – the technical requirements dictated by the utility to the developer are detailed and stringent. Since the utility has to protect its significant investment in the electrical grid and what feeds into it, they don’t allow for the developer to make special accommodations.
Thankfully, developers have insurance and money set aside for unforeseen incidents. The developer will take full responsibility for repair of the project.
What Landowners Say About Scout
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