Solar Farm Land Lease

Maximise your income with a Solar Farm Land Lease Program

Solar Farm Land Lease Programs offer an opportunity for farmers, estate owners and other landowners to diversify their income streams and realise the potential of land that may otherwise be left overgrown or redundant.

Landowners with a minimum of 20 acres available can benefit from a long-term source of revenue with a solar farm development on their property, typically for a period of 40 years. We partner with a large network of successful investors, who between them have several decades’ experience in the renewables sector across Europe, as we actively seek suitable land to construct and operate responsibly-managed solar farms.

With UK solar energy output forecasted to treble between 2020 and 2030 there’s never been a better time to become involved in this exciting industry. Take a closer look at the benefits and qualifying criteria below and see if ‘harvesting solar energy’ could be right for you.

Landowners – earn upto £1000 per acre (index-linked) for 40 years

With solar farm land lease rents ranging from £850-£1100 (depending on variables such as development size and location) per acre per annum, rental rates compare favourably with other income streams such as agricultural and livestock farming, event hosting and storage services. While overall revenue will depend on various costs accrued during the lifetime of the project, such as connection to the National Grid, finance and planning, landowners can still benefit from a guaranteed, index-linked income over the lifespan of the solar farm.

Solar Farm Land Lease Benefits

Six reasons to consider a Solar Farm Land Lease Program on your property!

Long-term income

Our solar projects have a lifespan of between 20 and 40 years, with landowners receiving an annual income for the duration. Land rental is paid per acre and compares favourably with other uses (including agricultural leasing). Solar land lease revenue streams provide financial certainty and can play a vital role in ensuring families maintain ownership of their farms and estates into the future.

Income

Use redundant space

The solar farm is planned, installed, maintained and decommissioned at no financial cost whatsoever to the landowner. Essential Solar (or a trusted partner) cover the planning and legal fees on behalf of the landowner. The only investment required from the landowner is the commitment of time where the space is used for an agreed period for the purpose of generating solar energy.

Utilise land

Minimal O&M demands

Subsequent Operations and Maintenance site visits should be kept to a minimum over the lifetime of the solar farm.

Easy O&M

Low visual impact

Solar farms do not emit noise and have a lesser visual impact compared with other uses such as wind farms.

Low impact

Continue using land for livestock and wildlife

Solar farms and their lease agreements can be constructed in a way that allows for small livestock grazing within the development, as their presence reduces the cost of maintaining vegetation. Land within can be sown with wildflowers to attract pollinators and increase biodiversity.

Dual use

Put land to other uses after dismantling

Decommissioning and site clearance is a simple process at the end of the lease term, allowing the land to be put to other uses. Since your land will not be subject to any negative impacts from the solar farm (e.g. leftover components) putting the space to subsequent use will be straightforward.

Options

Development criteria

Would Solar Farm Lease Programs work for you? Several key factors determine the suitability of land for solar farm development. This includes:

Location

Proximity to a National Grid connection with free grid capacity in that area.

Timescales

A long-term commitment from the landowner, as leases last for a period of between 20 to 40 years.

Topography and space

The topography of the site and ease of installing aluminium and steel ground-mounted structures for the solar arrays.

Sufficient accessibility

Access to the site during installation and decommissioning of the solar farm, particular for larger vehicles.

Neighbours

The site should be surrounded by hedgerows or similar and distanced from residential property.

Any restrictions

Site should not be within a conservation/protected landscape. Agricultural grading should be rated ‘medium’ to ‘poor’.

Interested? Contact us for no-obligation information about the income potential of your land

A six-stage process for landowners

Step 1 – submit land information to us

Complete the online site submission form below. Tell us about your land and upload some photographs. This will take just a few minutes and there is no commitment or cost to you. You will not receive nuisance pressure calls or emails. Information submitted to us is treated in confidence.

Step 2 – we meet investors on your behalf

We will meet with our investors and introduce you to those who have expressed an interest in creating a partnership. The landowner reviews the no-obligation offers and chooses whether to proceed (again at no cost or obligation).

Step 3 – grid connection established

If the landowner agrees to a proposal the next stage is to permit the investor to arrange for a grid connection to your land.

Step 4 – agreement in principle for land rental

If the principle terms are agreeable the landowner signs an agreement in principle. The landowner is welcome to consult a land agent if preferred.

Step 5 – planning and construction

This should be completed within ten months. The investor takes care of securing grid capacity, planning surveys, design, community engagement and the planning application. The full draft lease is completed and ready to sign. The landowner appoints a solicitor. When planning permission is granted and the lease agreement signed, construction begins.

Step 6 – landowner receives first payment

Solar farm construction is complete and generating clean energy. The landowner then receives the first annual payment, with subsequent annual payments offering certainty and security for many years ahead.

Landowner site submission form

To find out more about Solar Farm Land Lease programs and the available investment opportunities please complete the online form or call us on 0161 706 0868.