We can assist you in generating a steady income by leasing it to solar,
wind, or storage developers.
Do you own 20 acres or more of land?
Do you own 20 acres or more of land?
We can assist you in generating a steady income by leasing it to solar, wind, or storage developers.
Why lease your land to a renewable energy developer
Generate
Revenue
Earn a steady stream of income for up to 25 years. Best of all, you don’t need to do a thing.
Support Your
Local Economy
Renewable energy projects create jobs, and the property taxes the renewable energy developer pays help fund schools, hospitals and other services in your community.
Protect the
Environment
You can do your part to fight climate change and help America achieve energy independence.
How We Help You
Vanguard saves landowners time and increases the likelihood that your land will be leased to the correct renewable energy developer. There are hundreds of renewable energy developers in the United States. Rather than spending time to find each one and filling out multiple contact forms, you only need to do it once with Vanguard. And because we only make money if a developer is interested in your land, we are motivated to market it for you, at our expense, to help you get the most for your land.
Our Easy 3 Step Process
1. Tell Us About Your Land
Fill out our simple online form. It will take less than five minutes. There’s no cost or obligation to you.
2. We Promote Your Land
We’ll promote your land, at our expense, to qualified renewable energy developers seeking to build in your area. If a developer is interested in your land, we’ll introduce you.
3. You Negotiate the Best Deal
You take it from there. We strongly recommend you retain a real estate attorney, and we can help you find one.
Frequently Asked Questions
We hope that this page answers most of your questions about leasing your land to solar developers. If you still have questions, drop us a line.
General/Process Questions About Leasing Your Land to Renewable Developers
Every developer, and every project, will work a little differently. But here are the basic steps that don’t vary by much. The process of developing a project on your land typically involves several key stages. First, developers will conduct a legal evaluation, digging into matters such as zoning, ownership status, mineral rights, easements, tax abatements, and title restrictions, which can take a few weeks to a few months. Once a lease agreement is signed, the developer will begin a series of technical and environmental studies on your land, which can take up to two years, depending on the size of the site. During this time, you can continue to use your land, and any revenue you generate from it is yours to keep. Once all studies are complete, full financing for the project has been secured, and any outstanding permitting and zoning issues have been settled, construction will begin. Construction length depends on the size of the project and ranges up to 18 months for a very large site. Finally, once constructed, the solar farm will generate electricity for 20-30 years, with a small on-site staff of one or two individuals monitoring it and additional service personnel occasionally appearing for maintenance.
The length of construction depends on the size of the project and what preparation needs to happen first on the site (such as clearing trees). As a ballpark, a small farm might require a month to build, whereas a very large site could take up to 18 months. Keep in mind that months or even years of development work needs to happen before construction commences.
The developer includes provisions in your agreement that outline the process for restoring the land to its original condition. Solar panels typically have an estimated useful life of up to 35 years; however, contracts for solar energy usually last no longer than 20 to 25 years, which is why lease terms are often shorter. Upon expiration of the lease, the solar farm will either be decommissioned—meaning all equipment will be removed at the operator’s expense, and the land will be returned to you—or, if you prefer, the lease could be extended if there is ongoing market demand for the power. In this scenario, while the panels and other equipment may be upgraded, the overall layout of the solar farm is likely to remain unchanged, although this could vary depending on advancements in solar technology by that time.
With tenant farming the developer will not be negotiate your day-to-day operations. You will need to give notice to your lessee to plan on winding up your farming or ranching activities. Keep in mind, it may be several months before the project goes into construction leaving ample time to work out negotiations.
No. A renewable project is built differently and must be connected to the electrical grid at a much higher voltage than your house uses.
The concepts are similar, but leases are long-term contracts. You will find most professionals will sit with you to review the lease and explain the details of the contract. And always feel free to contact a legal representative to answer any questions you may have.
Your Land
Most developers are willing to carve out a portion of a project area to accommodate structures or areas that you want to remain there. Developers may also be willing to the help reshape the land that you no longer use, for something you would like in the future.
For security and liability reasons, the entire solar facility will be enclosed by fencing. If you have any aesthetic concerns regarding the specific type of fence or its exact placement, it’s important to discuss these with the developer during the planning stages. They may be willing to accommodate your preferences or provide more information about the fencing requirements and options. Open communication with the developer can help ensure that any aesthetic considerations are taken into account while still meeting the necessary security protocols for the solar farm.
Once operational, renewable energy farms do not utilize or generate any hazardous materials, gases, or chemicals that could pose a risk to your land. During the construction phase, the impact on the land will be minimal and temporary, primarily resulting from the movement of trucks and construction equipment. This ensures that any disturbances are short-lived and manageable, allowing for a swift return to normal conditions once the project is completed.
Working With Developers
Such occurrences are quite rare, as most projects secure investment before construction begins. However, in the unlikely event that a developer is unable to complete the construction, a bond posted by the developer—secured by a reputable financial institution—will cover the costs of restoring your property to its original condition. This provides an added layer of assurance for landowners.
Submitting and Managing Your Information
Please use one form for each property. You can return to this site at any time to complete additional forms as needed.
Unfortunately, once information has been submitted, it cannot be modified. Please submit a new form with the updated information, and in the Comments box, indicate that this is an update. We will ensure that our records are updated accordingly.
If you prefer that we no longer promote your land to developers, please utilize this contact form to notify us of your request.
