Landowners Interested in Renewable Energy Projects
Michaud Law Firm is experienced and well-versed in assisting our landowner clients in leasing or selling their property to solar and battery energy storage system developers who host these projects. Landowners can receive rent during the development period and ongoing operation of the renewable energy project on their land. However, unlike other law firms, we have the skill and expertise in renewable energy project economics to negotiate substantial development fees in addition to traditional property leases and property sales for renewable energy projects on our client’s property. This additional income can provide a significant financial boost, as demonstrated by our successful negotiation of a multi-million-dollar ‘development fee’ for a landowner that dwarfed the traditional 25-year lease for the property. This financial empowerment is a crucial benefit for our landowner clients, giving them a sense of control and optimism about their property's potential.
Renewable energy costs are dropping; in some locations, they are lower than natural gas or coal. Michaud Law Group has relationships with several large solar and battery energy storage companies and investors looking for open land to host their projects. The firm also manages a specialized ‘one-stop’ technical team that handles everything for a project, including pre-development, development, engineering, construction, permitting, interconnection approvals, finance, commissioning, and maintenance. This comprehensive support ensures that our clients are guided through every step of the process, giving them the confidence and reassurance they need to embark on a renewable energy project. Our clients can rest assured that they are in capable hands, with a team dedicated to their success and well-being.
Many landowners ask whether their land is suitable for solar power. One megawatt of solar power typically requires 4-5 acres of land. The typical solar farm produces 5-20 megawatts, requiring a minimum of 20-25 acres. The land must be accessible and near existing utility infrastructure. It also needs to have sufficient sun exposure. For instance, open fields, unused rooftops, and ample parking lots are often suitable for hosting solar or battery energy storage systems.
Landowners also ask whether a solar or battery energy storage project adds value to their land. As a landowner, you should consider your property’s present and future uses and values. Solar and battery energy storage systems generally create more revenue than agricultural uses and provide a steady, reliable income. The firm is unique in that it often can negotiate multi-million-dollar development fees in addition to the lease income, which most landowners are unaware of. This 'development fee' is a significant financial benefit that can substantially boost a landowner's income. Hosting a renewable energy project can significantly increase the value of your land and provide a reliable source of income for years to come.
Every solar or battery energy storage project begins with the relationship between a landowner and our legal team. We help landowners maximize profits with consistent revenue. As projects progress over time and additional risk factors and complexities are identified, we remain committed to ensuring that the initial relationship is honored and the projects we prospect get built. Our landowner clients put their land to use for hosting solar for various reasons. From repurposing contaminated brownfields for a higher and better use to helping generate consistent income from underutilized farmland to helping building owners maximize revenue from unused rooftops and parking lots, the reasons for hosting solar or battery energy storage systems are as diverse as our landowner clients. However, regardless of our client’s initial reasoning, all collaborate with us for the same reason: hosting a solar or battery energy storage project with a trusted law firm partner provides consistent, straightforward, and often substantial additional revenue for their land. Our process involves an initial consultation, where we discuss your goals and concerns; project analysis, where we assess the feasibility and potential benefits of hosting a renewable energy project on your land; negotiation, where we work to secure the best possible terms for you, and ongoing support until the project is operational and generating revenue. We guide our clients through every process step, ensuring they understand the process and are comfortable with the decisions being made.
