How we choose solar development sites — The answer will surprise you
We are frequently asked how we build solar projects and how we choose sites.
There is a lot that goes into finding a viable solar project site, and this is a commonly underappreciated aspect of solar development. The process is complicated, but it's not magic.
A frequent mistake is to believe that any sunny property is ripe and ready for solar picking. This is far from the reality of project site selection.
One of the most consistent calls we get is from landowners or investors who want to sell or lease their land to us for solar projects.
Below is a version of how this call goes, and we think it helps to paint a simplified picture of our project assessment process.
Landowner: Hi, I own 20 acres in the desert in Nevada, and I know it’s perfect for solar! How much can you pay me to lease it?
Representative: Hi, thanks for calling. We’re happy to take a look at the property and help you determine if it’s usable for one of our projects. Just a few questions first.
Landowner: Well, I already know that the solar irradiance is high, so can’t you just put some panels on it, and work out the price for a lease?
