Solar is the fastest deployable renewable energy source in the world.
Landowners
What are the benefits of solar partnerships for farmers?
Heightened costs, volatile weather conditions and regulatory uncertainty mean farming incomes have become less predictable. Leasing land for solar farm development is a proven way for farmers to diversify income and realise a sustainable long-term solution for their land and families.
Benefits of solar
With its quick installation time and non-intrusive construction techniques there is minimal disruption.
Landowner GuideInvesting in solar energy offers predictability, allows landowners to earn income from unused farmland and tap into reliable revenues that surpass typical farming income. This is proven technology, secured by government-supported power purchase agreements, coupled with long-term leases of up to 40 years.
Solar farms are low impact, which means normal farming activities can continue during the lease. Maintenance is minimal, construction timelines are short, and siting is sensitive to the natural surroundings, which means these solar farms bed into the landscape easily, and quickly. And when the lease is up, our developer-provided decommissioning bond ensures the land is restored to its original condition.
Landowner GuideThe landowner engagement process
We have been involved in renewable energy project development for over 20 years.
Our process is simple: we find sites, foster relationships with landowners, and forge successful projects to completion.
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Step 1
Site identification
The optimum sites are typically located close to existing electrical infrastructure (overhead lines and substations) with available capacity, and in areas most suitable from a planning, environmental, and ‘buildability’ perspective. We consider all these parameters and constraints before we engage with landowners.
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Step 2
Initial engagement
We make contact with the landowner to see if they are interested in discussing the use of their land for solar development. If they are, we detail the suitability and potential of the land, and schedule follow-up meetings. There is no commitment at this stage.
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Step 3
Site assessment
We request permission to survey the lands and validate our initial desktop assessment. This helps us to gauge the land’s suitability and it guides the preliminary design.
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Step 4
Due diligence period
Once the landowner confirms their interest, we will work with the landowner to sign the lease agreement for the land. The due diligence period is typically for a period of two to five years. An initial payment is made once the lease agreement is signed.
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Step 5
Lease begins
Once the developer has secured all required planning, permits and grid interconnection and the project is ready to build, the long-term lease will initiate. The first rental payment will be made just before construction work starts, with bi-annual rent payments made after that for the duration of the lease (up to 40 years).
The project lifecycle
Each project is unique but our efficient process is tried and trusted. From signing the land option agreement through to the solar farm being fully operation takes between four to six years.
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Step 1
Development phase (18-24 months)
Once the lease agreement is signed, our project manager will appoint specialist engineering and environmental consultants to conduct surveys investigating the impact on flora and fauna, archaeology, surrounding visuals, and ground conditions.
After obtaining all necessary permits, grid interconnection offer, and a long-term Power Purchase Agreement the project then moves to the pre-construction phase.
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Step 2
Pre-construction phase (∼6 months)
We liaise with the local authority to finalize planning conditions and conduct geotechnical investigations and other surveys to inform the project design.
We undertake a procurement process to appoint experienced contractors to construct the solar farm and grid connection infrastructure.
We keep the landowner and local community up to date on the construction phase.
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Step 3
Construction phase (12 months)
We appoint a construction manager to oversee construction activities. The site-based construction manager will be the landowner's primary point of contact and will keep you updated throughout the process, ensuring disruption to other agricultural business and the local community is minimized.
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Step 4
Operations and Maintenance (35–40 years)
We put an Operations and Maintenance contract in place to ensure plant performance is continuously monitored.
We put an Asset Management contract in place to proactively manage the safe delivery of maintenance activities, ensure the lands are appropriately maintained, and regularly liaise with the landowner.
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Step 5
Decommissioning
We establish a decommissioning bond to ensure the solar farm is fully decommissioned at the end of its operational life, and all site infrastructure and components are removed from site and recycled where possible. The site will be reinstated and fully restored to its original condition
