Frequently Asked Questions
Solar Land Leases
Leasing your land for community solar farms can be a great way to generate some additional revenue while doing good in the world at the same time! By leasing your land for such a project, you can expect to receive tens of thousands of dollars each year over the course of the 30 year lease. Our projects start around $1,000 per acre per year.
Most Community Solar leases range 20 to 30 years with the option to extend.
To maximize success, our developers need a parcel that is between 15 and 100 acres or larger. Additionally, it needs to have existing transmission or distribution utility lines running through or next to it in order for the Community Solar project to be successful. Connect with our team and we can see if your land is viable for a project.
Genie Solar takes care of it all. Our team will complete all due diligence, such as interconnection studies and town approvals, at no cost to the land owner. Our job is to turn the project’s potential into reality.
Community Solar has taken the world by storm, and with it can come a variety of increasing costs. Fortunately, we can provide coverage for some of those, such as additional property taxes that may occur due to the project adding value to the land. We recognize that Community Solar is a valuable tool for sustainability, and are dedicated to helping you reap the rewards without leaving your pocket completely empty.
Community Solar has never been so easy or worry-free. We take all the pain out of maintaining a finished facility, covering everything from general upkeep to emergency repairs so you can focus on other important matters. No matter what happens, you can rest assured that we’ve got you covered – so embrace Community Solar with confidence!
Genie Solar is currently developing projects in the following states: Massachusetts, Virginia, Rhode Island, Maryland, District of Columbia, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Maine, Georgia, New Hampshire. New legislation is being passed in many more states to support Community Solar. Always check back for updates.
community solar
If you currently have an agricultural assessment and convert your land to a non-agricultural use for a solar project, you might face a “conversion-use tax increase.” However, Matrix Solar will cover any additional taxes incurred due to the land’s conversion.
Matrix Solar assumes responsibility for any increase in property taxes related to the land used for the solar or energy storage project. We also handle all tax negotiations with the town, county, and school districts involved.
Matrix Solar manages all tax-related matters and negotiations with the local authorities (town, county, and school district) related to the solar or energy storage project.
Yes, landowners receive annual payments during the development phase.
The land is minimally disturbed during solar projects, with no hazardous materials used. Operations require very little ongoing labor (usually one or two people for seasonal mowing), and traffic is limited. To mitigate dust, pollinator-friendly native plants and grasses are planted and maintained.
Once all approvals are in place, the project typically takes 6-8 months to install, depending on the time of year and weather conditions.
Yes, a fence is required by the National Electric Code, with a minimum height of 7 feet around the project area. We prefer to install a permanent wildlife-friendly deer fence instead of a chain-link fence for better aesthetics.
This is not an issue. Our agreement ensures that adequate time is given to the farmer or rancher to harvest crops and relocate operations.
We will work with you to ensure that the project does not impact your home. Our design team will adjust the project layout to ensure your satisfaction with the proximity to your residence.
Matrix Solar works with mineral owners and oil and gas operators to reach mutually agreeable terms, ensuring that future mineral exploration can be accommodated. Our legal team will handle all related matters to secure the necessary approvals for the project.
Yes, the construction phase creates hundreds of jobs, contributing to the local economy through housing, food, and other services. Once operational, the project provides valuable property tax revenue to local authorities, and residents may see lower electricity rates. The solar project also strengthens grid security by generating power near demand and reducing transmission issues.
During the permitting and due diligence stages, we collaborate with federal, state, and local agencies to ensure that there are no impacts on endangered species. We also provide wildlife-friendly gaps in fences to allow small animals to pass through.
Yes, we encourage landowners to engage in the permitting process, but if you prefer to let us handle it, we’re fine with that too.
Yes, since the lease is recorded with the deed, it will transfer automatically to the new property owner if the land is sold.
We can provide a vegetative buffer, such as pine trees, depending on the land’s topography, to help screen the project from neighboring properties.
We will coordinate with you during the permitting process to ensure you have the opportunity to harvest timber before construction begins.
Access to the project site will depend on the location of the access road and whether it is used to reach other properties.
While the solar project cannot be directly connected to your property, in some utility areas, you may be eligible for a discount on your electricity bill.
If a grazing provider is available near the site, we would be open to utilizing grazing as an alternative to mowing.
During the development phase, your current land use remains unaffected, though we may need occasional access for due diligence activities. Once construction begins, only the leased area will be impacted, and other parts of the property will remain unchanged.
Solar panels are designed to absorb light, not reflect it. They are coated with anti-reflective glass, which also makes them shatter-resistant.
How does community solar work?
general solar
If you currently have an agricultural assessment and convert your land to a non-agricultural use for a solar project, you might face a “conversion-use tax increase.” However, Matrix Solar will cover any additional taxes incurred due to the land’s conversion.
Matrix Solar assumes responsibility for any increase in property taxes related to the land used for the solar or energy storage project. We also handle all tax negotiations with the town, county, and school districts involved.
Matrix Solar manages all tax-related matters and negotiations with the local authorities (town, county, and school district) related to the solar or energy storage project.
Yes, landowners receive annual payments during the development phase.
The land is minimally disturbed during solar projects, with no hazardous materials used. Operations require very little ongoing labor (usually one or two people for seasonal mowing), and traffic is limited. To mitigate dust, pollinator-friendly native plants and grasses are planted and maintained.
Once all approvals are in place, the project typically takes 6-8 months to install, depending on the time of year and weather conditions.
Yes, a fence is required by the National Electric Code, with a minimum height of 7 feet around the project area. We prefer to install a permanent wildlife-friendly deer fence instead of a chain-link fence for better aesthetics.
This is not an issue. Our agreement ensures that adequate time is given to the farmer or rancher to harvest crops and relocate operations.
We will work with you to ensure that the project does not impact your home. Our design team will adjust the project layout to ensure your satisfaction with the proximity to your residence.
Matrix Solar works with mineral owners and oil and gas operators to reach mutually agreeable terms, ensuring that future mineral exploration can be accommodated. Our legal team will handle all related matters to secure the necessary approvals for the project.
Yes, the construction phase creates hundreds of jobs, contributing to the local economy through housing, food, and other services. Once operational, the project provides valuable property tax revenue to local authorities, and residents may see lower electricity rates. The solar project also strengthens grid security by generating power near demand and reducing transmission issues.
During the permitting and due diligence stages, we collaborate with federal, state, and local agencies to ensure that there are no impacts on endangered species. We also provide wildlife-friendly gaps in fences to allow small animals to pass through.
Yes, we encourage landowners to engage in the permitting process, but if you prefer to let us handle it, we’re fine with that too.
Yes, since the lease is recorded with the deed, it will transfer automatically to the new property owner if the land is sold.
We can provide a vegetative buffer, such as pine trees, depending on the land’s topography, to help screen the project from neighboring properties.
We will coordinate with you during the permitting process to ensure you have the opportunity to harvest timber before construction begins.
Access to the project site will depend on the location of the access road and whether it is used to reach other properties.
While the solar project cannot be directly connected to your property, in some utility areas, you may be eligible for a discount on your electricity bill.
If a grazing provider is available near the site, we would be open to utilizing grazing as an alternative to mowing.
During the development phase, your current land use remains unaffected, though we may need occasional access for due diligence activities. Once construction begins, only the leased area will be impacted, and other parts of the property will remain unchanged.
Solar panels are designed to absorb light, not reflect it. They are coated with anti-reflective glass, which also makes them shatter-resistant.
How does community solar work?