Frequently Asked Questions
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Bodin Solar understands the many questions that come with hosting a solar farm on your land.
The Basics
Solar farming is when a landowner (like you) leases their land for constructing and operating a solar array. The landowner gets paid annual rent for the land occupied by the solar array. An experienced third party fully operates and maintains the solar array and will decommission everything after 25-35 years
Community solar is a solar array designed to benefit the local community. All electricity generated by a community solar array is sent into the electrical grid to be used by local utility customers. This provides local customers with cheaper, green electricity.
Energy generation will depend on the type and size of the solar farm on your land. Generally speaking, a 10 acre site can produce enough electricity to power 448 homes for a year.
Solar panels do not produce electricity in the dark and they perform best in direct sunlight. However, solar panels can produce electricity with small amounts of sunlight, meaning they still produce in the early morning, late afternoon, and under overcast skies. Solar panels don’t produce electricity without sunlight, so nothing happens at night.
Precipitation may temporarily impact electrical production if sunlight is limited during the rain or snow fall. Large snowfall can hinder production until the snow melts, which usually doesn’t take long. However, these storms benefit the panels afterwards. Rain and melted snow may increase the production of solar panels after washing away dust or particles obstructing light absorption. Lastly, snow increases the amount of reflected sunlight off the ground which can increase production.
Solar on Your Land
The midwest is a great location for solar due to its flat terrain and large solar resource. In general, your land could work for solar if it meets most of the requirements listed at the bottom of this page. Contact us today for a commitment-free discussion!
Most solar farms are not visible from surrounding roads and houses. Depending on the proximity to the road, vegetative screening can be added so that the array is not seen.
Solar farms make a small amount of noise, which comes from the electrical equipment. They only make noise during production hours so they will be silent at night. Generally any noise cannot be heard further than 100 feet from the equipment.
Solar panels create minimal reflection as they absorb most sunlight. However, most of the little glare created cannot be seen as solar panels are normally elevated off the ground.
No! Solar panels have no negative impacts to the local environment. Solar arrays require minimal earth work, and the typical foundation for the modules is only 8’-15’ below ground. Additionally, all arrays will have a detailed decommissioning plan to ensure your land is delivered back to you in the exact condition it was received. This guide from the US Dept of Energy explains the risks and rewards of solar for farmers. Click here for more info
No, solar will not negatively affect any of your other crops. In fact, most solar arrays have pollinator friendly seeds planted under them, increasing the amount of pollinators in the area, which can help improve your yields.
You can continue to use your non-leased land as you choose, but you will not be able to use the leased land until the lease term is over.
The Process
First, Bodin Solar will conduct a virtual review of your land to determine if it would be a good fit for solar. If it is, Bodin Solar will come meet you personally and assess your land in person. Next, we will draft a lease for signing and begin identifying a suitable company to build and own the solar array. This company will handle the engineering, permitting, interconnection to the local grid, and construction of the solar farm. Once the project is built, it will create green electricity for the local grid for 25-35 years. After the end of the solar farm’s life, the operating company will decommission the array and return your land to you in great condition.
1-2 years generally – sometimes a bit longer if there are delays with permitting or equipment procurement.
Most leases are for 25-35 years.
Once the lease is signed you will receive development payments while Bodin Solar handles the initial stages and identifies a long term construction and operating partner. When construction starts the payments will increase. Finally, once the solar array is live and producing electricity you will receive the highest payments for 25-35 years based on the mutually agreed duration.
YES – fully! You will simply lease the access and construction rights but maintain ownership and regain full control after the life of the lease.
The construction company and long term owner will be responsible for all of this.
During development (when engineering & permitting is being completed), you will receive development payments. During development you can continue to use your land as you please. Once construction begins, the normal lease payments will commence and you will not be able to farm your land. Construction schedules will be communicated promptly so you can schedule your planting & harvest accordingly.
The long term owner will be responsible for all of this.
The solar farm owner will decommission the project leaving your land in great condition. Additionally, solar farms allow land that is frequently farmed to rest and recover, creating the potential for more fertile soil in 25 years.
Could solar work on your land?
If your land meets most of the following conditions, it should be suitable to host a solar farm.
- 7+ acres of contiguous land
- Easy access to public streets
- Minimal wetlands, floodplains, or densely wooded areas
- Relatively flat topography
- Receives direct sunlight from 10am-3pm when the sun is out
- Close to an existing electrical line
Contact us to learn more and begin a commitment-free discussion