


To illustrate how the size in acreage corresponds to the size in wattage to a solar farm, here is a sample calculation. Sample calculation for determining the size of a solar farm Others interested in solar energy may enter into power purchase agreements (PPAs) with public utilities at a fixed cost for a certain length of time. These people may not have the means or space to purchase their own rooftop solar system, but still wish to participate in the renewable energy revolution.Ĭommunity solar members purchase shares of the energy created on your solar farm. Solar developers could also sell the electricity created on your land to locally organized groups of individuals who become subscribers to a community solar program. They also want to purchase renewable energy instead of electricity generated from fossil fuels. In these cases, the electricity generated by sun energy hitting the PV panels travels on the electric grid for widespread use by consumers or corporate entities located far from your farm.Īlternatively, the developers will sell the electricity to large corporations, institutions, or university systems that have massive demands for power in centralized settings. In rural settings, the power will go to an electric cooperative. In the case of solar farms consisting of thousands or hundreds of thousands of PV modules on your property, the developers will sell the electricity created by the solar panels to a public utility in urban and suburban areas. There are two main types of solar projects that solar developers are actively pursuing right now all over the United States: 1. Solar developers want you to partner with them in solar projects that generate electricity. This is where you, as a farmer, rancher, or general landowner, come into the picture. As countries, states, and municipalities transition toward phasing out fossil fuels as energy sources, they are actively looking to expand clean energy capacity - namely, solar and wind energy - in their jurisdictions. Now just imagine rows upon rows of hundreds or hundreds of thousands of ground-mounted solar panels, often with adjoining buildings that house immense batteries to store the power generated by those photovoltaic (PV) modules for later use.Īlso called solar parks, plants, fields, or power stations, solar farms are becoming commonplace throughout the world. You’re used to seeing “amber waves of grain” billowing in the breeze across acres and acres of farmland as far as the eye can see. Key takeaways on solar farm land requirements.Top 7 tips for farmers about solar farm leases.Suitability of your land for a solar farm Factors that affect solar farm lease rates.How much does it cost to set up a solar farm?.Sample calculation for determining the size of a solar farm.How much land do you need for a solar farm?.
