1. How long is a solar lease?
Our standard lease term is 25 years, giving you a dependable, long-term income stream you can count on. Lease payments are made annually with built-in increases each year, so your income grows over time. It's a stable way to make the most of your land – without giving up ownership or control.
2. How much land will be used?
We typically look for 30 acres, including room for the panels, an access road, and equipment. Smaller projects are possible. We prefer to use less-productive farmland when available.
3. Can solar and farming work together?
They sure can – more landowners are proving it. Solar and agriculture don't have to compete for space. In fact, when thoughtfully designed, they can support each other. This approach is called agrivoltaics, and it is all about using land for both clean energy and farming.
That might mean grazing livestock between rows of panels, planting pollinator-friendly wildflowers, or simply leasing a portion of your land for solar while continuing to farm the rest. Solar can even give your soil a break – helping it recover and rebuild nutrients over time.
It's not about replacing your farm – it is about giving your land a new way to provide.
4. What is the impact on my land?
It's minimal. The system uses steel beams driven into the ground—no concrete—so everything can be removed at the end of the lease. We also plant low-growing, pollinator-friendly vegetation that improves soil health and supports birds, bees, and other wildlife. You can continue using the surrounding land for farming or other purposes during the lease, based on the layout of the system. When the lease ends, we'll remove everything and restore the land, at our expense.
5. What should I expect during construction?
Construction time varies, depending on the project size and local conditions, but a solar project usually takes 6-8 months. You'll see more activity on your land during this time – from site prep and equipment delivery to panel installation and final testing – but your role is minimal.
We will handle the heavy lifting, keep you informed, and make sure your land is restored once the work is done. Most construction happens during regular business hours, and any access restrictions will be clearly communicated in advance.
6. Who maintains the system after it is turned on?
You will not be left on your own. Once the system is up and running, a dedicated Operations & Maintenance (O&M) team takes over. That means 24/7 monitoring, regular site inspections, and proactive maintenance to keep everything running smoothly. The team does not just fix things when they break – they work to prevent issues before they happen. From quality control audits to grounds upkeep, O&M teams ensure the system stays safe and efficient.
7. What happens when the project ends?
When the lease is up, everything is taken care of. New Energy Equity guarantees that the entire solar system will be removed, and your land will be restored to its original condition. That promise is backed by a bond to ensure the money is available.
This process, called decommissioning, is carefully planned from the start. Materials are removed, recycled, or responsibly disposed of, and the land is left ready for whatever you want to do next – whether that's farming, another solar project, or something entirely different.
8. What if it's cloudy? Do I still get paid?
Yes! Lease payments are guaranteed and do not depend on weather conditions or how much power the system produces.
9. What is a community solar project?
Many New Energy Equity solar projects are community solar projects. Community solar lets people who can't install solar panels on their own property take part in a local solar project nearby. They save money on their electric bills, and the project helps bring clean, reliable energy to the area.
10. How does community solar work?
Local households enroll in a community solar program and are assigned a share of a community solar project, which project generates electricity and sends it to the local power grid. The enrolled households, called subscribers, receive bill credits at a discount on their monthly electric bills for the value of the power generated by their share of the system. For households, it's like sharing the benefits of a solar system without needing panels on your roof. For landowners, it's a way to add more electricity for local households to use and help them save money on their electricity bills.
11. What does a solar system look like?
To see an example of our completed solar projects, follow the web URL: www.newenergyequity.com/Experience/CompletedProjects.