The new land rush in rural New York: solar farms

The new land rush in rural New York: solar farms

Excerpt

"The solar land rush now underway is less controversial and less free-wheeling than the natural gas leasing frenzy, but it still offers landowners a steady stream of income if their land is turned into a solar farm. A typical contract offers landowners annual lease payments in the range of $1,500 per acre over a 20-year period – terms that could generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in income for farmers whose land is turned into a solar farm."

This is happening in NY, not sure if these companies are working in PA or OH (or other shale states). But, if you feel like you missed out on the shale rush and have 20 acres or so available for solar panels, it might be something to look into. A couple catches, though - you have to be close to a solid power supply, and the leasing company actually has to move forward with turning the property into a solar farm in order for the property owner to receive payment. So, no guarantees, but still interesting.

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0ym9x5ag7ury2Permalink Reply by 0ym9x5ag7ury2 on September 19, 2016 at 10:15am

One more catch.

I checked with AEP in Ohio for using wind or solar and supplying the excess to the grid.

You have to pay a monthly insurance in order to send power onto the grid.

There goes the money you might have made, to one of those large building in NY, Chicago, or LA that houses Insurance companies.

You can supply your own needs off the grid which will save you money as the price of electricity goes up.

Permalink Reply by Barry D on September 19, 2016 at 3:11pm

Unlike an oil and gas lease, with solar you lose the use of the property.

Once the solar installation is in place you can't use the property.

Not a good deal for people who live off of their land, such as farmers.

Permalink Reply by Jed Clampett on September 20, 2016 at 4:50am

unless you could still do some grazing under/around the panels.  The panels would have to be high enough to prevent animal damage, but it would also prevent the ground from becoming overgrown or having to mow around all the panels.

Permalink Reply by bo boboski on September 20, 2016 at 8:22am

Hey! that may be a new job coming up; mowing under the Hildabeast's solar panels!. providing she gets elected, and providing she doesn't croke soon after.

Permalink Reply by MWS on September 21, 2016 at 1:49pm

correction to Ron Hale comment

I have a solar panel array grid tie in.  Connected to AEP.  Excess goes to AEP.  There are no monthly insurance payments required.  Panels are solar trackers, and can be placed high enough on a post to be used for grazing underneath. follow the sun and "table at night"  I have no restrictions on what I can use the ground (surface) for.

Rarely post, but felt need to correct the inaccurate information

Permalink Reply by Barry D on September 21, 2016 at 1:55pm

MWS,

I assume that this is your own installation.

However, I believe that the discussion is with regard to installation by another entity. An entity which leases the property.

Just as in an oil and gas lease there are many issues to consider.

Since you have performed your own study and work your you controlled every aspect of the installation. But, a landowner who leases their land may not have as much control, although they should. 

Your input should be valuable to anyone considering a lease for a solar project.

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