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How to Start a Solar Farm Business

Solar Farm Business

Do you want to start a solar energy farm? If YES, here is a 24-step guide on how to start a profitable solar farm business with no money and no experience.

Solar farms are replacing croplands that don’t generate enough income from traditional farming. Other times, solar farms are being placed on vacant industrial sites or land that hasn’t grown crops in years. Most people are familiar with solar panels mounted on the rooftop of our house to solar farms, but the truth is that both the solar panels in our homes and solar farms serves the same purpose but in varying degrees.

Steps to Starting a Solar Farm Business

1. Understand the Industry

A solar farm is a large land area where multiple ground-mount solar tracking towers are installed. Usually, it can be on a working farm or other open and mostly unimproved land.

The Solar Farm Developers industry is made up of companies that mainly install and construct solar power grid systems, which is known as solar farms, on a utility scale. The work executed within the industry include new work, reconstruction, rehabilitation and repairs et al.

Interesting Statistics about the Industry

Solar is the fastest-growing source of renewable energy in America, generating enough clean, reliable and affordable electricity to power more than 2.2 million homes. Solar created tens of thousands of new American jobs and pumped tens of billions of dollars into the U.S. economy. In fact, more solar has been installed in the U.S. in the last 18 months than in the 30 years prior.

The Solar Farm Developers industry has been skyrocketing over the past five years. Demand for new solar farms has been backed primarily by government incentives, such as the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which encouraged private investment into solar technologies by offering tax credits.

With these incentives, solar farms and other solar-power development projects have been built at accelerating rates over the past five years. This is because solar technology is not yet cost-competitive with other types of energy used in electricity generation.

Demand for construction of utility-scale solar power projects has skyrocketed thanks in large part to substantial government assistance. In addition to heavy demand catapulting revenue upward, falling capital costs have expanded the industry’s profit margins.

In the next five years, industry revenue growth is expected to slow significantly due to lesser demand for solar power generation on the utility-scale level. Additionally, technological advancements in solar panel construction will lead to a greater supply of low-cost panels, making solar panels more accessible for individual consumers.

The Solar Farm Developers industry has been skyrocketing over the past five years. Demand for new solar farms has been backed primarily by government incentives, such as the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which encouraged private investment into solar technologies by offering tax credits.

With these incentives, solar farms, and other solar-power development projects have been built at accelerating rates over the past five years. Because solar technology is not yet cost-competitive with other types of energy used in electricity generation, such as coal and natural gas, government incentives have been the driving force behind industry growth.

Statistics has it that an estimated 85% of U.S. residents can neither own nor lease solar panel systems because their roofs are physically unsuitable for solar or because they live in multi-family housing. At least 52 projects are under development in at least 17 states, and at least 10 states encourage their development through policy and programs.

Statistics has it that The Solar Farm Developers industry in the united states of America, is worth $10bn, with an estimated growth rate of 46.5 percent.

There are about 80 registered and licensed solar farm developer businesses in the United States, and they are responsible for employing about 9,027 people. The first Solar is the leading player in this industry; they have the largest market share.

Most people who have a stake in the industry will quite agree that the solar farms industry has come to stay and of course, it is one industry that plays key roles not only in the business world and in our homes simply because it is one eco – friendly way of generating power.

2. Conduct Market Research and Feasibility Studies

  • Demographics and Psychographics

The services of a solar farm will be needed by the following;

  1. Banks, Insurance Companies, and other related Financial Institutions
  2. Blue Chips Companies
  3. Corporate Organizations
  4. Manufacturers and Distributors
  5. Real Estate Owners, Developers, and Contractors
  6. Research and Development Companies
  7. The Government (Public Works Department)
  8. Schools (High Schools, Colleges, and Universities)
  9. Hotels
  10. Sport Facilities
  11. Religious Organizations
  12. Television Stations
  13. Printing Press (Publishing Houses)
  14. Branding and Advertising agencies
  15. Individuals and households

3. Decide What Niche to Concentrate On

There are several niches that you can decide to delve into. Here are some of it;

  1. Supply of solar energy
  2. Crystalline silicon solar power plant construction
  3. Thin-film solar power plant construction
  4. CSP power plant construction
  5. Sale and distribution of solar panel and accessories
  6. Servicing, maintenance, and repair of solar panels
  7. Roof mounted panel installation
  8. Solar tracking panel installation
  9. Ground mounted panel installation
  10. Fixed rack panel installation
  11. Monitoring services
  12. Other related solar panel installation, maintenance and repair services
The Level of Competition in the Industry

The Solar Farming industry is very competitive but open to any investor who is armed with the required start – up capital acquired the required training, skills and perhaps professional certifications to start his or her solar farm business.

4. Know the Major Competitors in the Industry

There are several solar farming brands in America, here are some of them;

  1. First Solar
  2. Clean Energy Technologies®
  3. Innovative Solar Systems
  4. Topaz Solar Farm (CA, USA)
  5. Solar Star, (CA, USA.)
  6. Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System
  7. Agua Caliente, Arizona
  8. Setouchi, Japan. GE, Toyo Engineering Corp
  9. Nzema Solar Park, Ghana.
  10. Redstone Solar Thermal Power Plant
  11. Amanecer Solar CAP Plant, Chile
  12. Jasper PV Project, south africa.
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

If you are keeping tabs of happenings in the Solar Farm Developers industry, you will agree that the demand for construction of utility-scale solar power projects has skyrocketed many thanks to substantial government support. So also, technological advancements in solar panel construction will lead to a greater supply of low-cost panels, making solar panels more accessible for individual consumers, also lowering demand.

Another trend is that the Solar Farm Developers industry has galloped ahead in recent years as a result of the rapid technological developments in our world, falling solar panel costs and favorable government policy. In the coming years, demand for solar panel installation is projected to continue growing.

Ongoing government assistance and aid in the form of tax credits and rebates, along with technological advancement and research in solar energy, as well as the rising popularity of solar power purchase agreements, will assist to help revenue grow sharply going forward.

The demand for new solar farms has been backed primarily by government incentives, such as the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which encouraged private investment into solar technologies by offering tax credits. With these incentives, solar farms, and other solar-power development projects have been built at accelerating rates over the past five years.

Because solar technology is not yet cost-competitive with other types of energy used in electricity generation, such as coal and natural gas, government incentives have been the driving force behind industry growth.

5. Decide Whether to Buy a Franchise or Start from Scratch

Starting a solar power business requires in-depth learning about the industry, available products, installation, and solutions for home and business owners. It also involves establishing relationships with suppliers and their sales consultants, so a supply of solar equipment is always available, along with a source of in-depth information for the questions the business owner can’t answer.

The easiest and most cost-effective way to ensure all of the foregoing is to buy a franchise, as the entire Business model is already created, the kinks are worked out and the business is essentially ready to go.

Research various solar power franchise opportunities and select a franchise to work with. This way, the business model, including the business plan, and advertising media and materials are all ready-made. Establish a relationship with the chosen franchise and get as much information as possible about the way the business is operated, the startup capital required and the process of becoming a franchisee.

6. Know the Possible Threats and Challenges You Will Face

Just like any other business, one of the major threats that we are likely going to face is economic downturn. It is a fact that economic downturn affects purchasing or spending power.

Another threat that may likely confront us is the arrival of a new solar farm or solar panel installation, maintenance and repair company in same location where our target market exist and who may want to adopt same business model like us.

7. Choose the Most Suitable Legal Entity (LLC, C Corp, S Corp)

Due to the size of the business, you need to register it as a company with a legal entity. After making your business plan and estimates, you should start the process of registering your limited partnership is an organization made up of a general partner, who manages a project; and limited partners who invest money but have limited liability and are not involved in day to- day management.

Usually, limited partners receive income, capital gains, and tax benefits; the general partners collect fees and a percentage of capital earnings and revenues. Typically, limited partnerships are in real estate, oil and gas, equipment leasing, family partnerships but can also finance movies, research and development and other projects.

8. Choose a Catchy Business Name from the ideas Below

Every business needs a suitable name to run their activities; but a solar farm business does not need a top notch brand name to function, all it need is a name for differentiating it from other firms both in and outside the industry. You can consider any of these names for your solar farm business;

  1. SunnyLight Inc
  2. Energy Growers
  3. Solar Harvesters
  4. Clean Source
  5. Sun Oasis
  6. Desert Pluggers
  7. Solar Growers
  8. Zero Emission
  9. Green Light
  10. Direct Sun Source.

9. Discuss With an Agent to Know the Best Insurance Policies for You

Consider insurance protection of your photovoltaic systems, in which coverage is provided for unanticipated physical damage and loss of insured property due to theft, burglary, robbery or pilferage. Insurance covers in particular damage caused by:

  • Handling error, clumsiness or malicious intent by third parties
  • A short circuit, excess current or an electrical surge
  • Failure of measuring, regulating or safety devices
  • Insufficient water, oil or lubricant
  • Excess pressure or low pressure
  • Fire, lightning strike, explosion
  • Water or damp
  • Storm, hail, frost, ice drift, flooding or snow load
  • Damage caused by animals

10. Protect your Intellectual Property With Trademark, Copyrights, Patents

If you are considering starting your own solar farm business, then you should consider filing for intellectual property protection. Filing for copyright protection for your firm is not only limited to your company’s logo and other documents, and but also protecting, of course, the name of your business.

If you want to file for intellectual property protection and also register your trademark in the United States, then you are expected to begin the process by filing an application with the USPTO. The final approval of your trademark is subjected to the review of attorneys as required by USPTO.

11. Get the Necessary Professional Certification

Research the licensing you need in your state to conduct solar installations and run a solar farm. For instance, Massachusetts and Connecticut both require an electrician’s license before you can pull permits for a solar installation, and Massachusetts additionally requires a construction license.

In other states, you can work on 12-volt photovoltaic (PV) wiring without a license only to the point where it ties into the inverter. From that point on, you are wiring 120-volt electricity, and you need an electrician’s license. Some states may also require you to have a roofing contractor’s license to conduct rooftop installations.

  • Obtain certification with the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). While not required to carry out solar installations, NABCEP certification is widely recognized in the solar industry and identifies you as a professional. The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners is primarily a professional certification organization. It also runs company accreditation programs and offers continuing education.
  • You can also consider the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) provides information on solar training opportunities, certifications, and training program accreditation. It also offers a job board, as well as networking opportunities through chapters and a LinkedIn group.

12. Get the Necessary Legal Documents You Need to Operate

Register your business with the government. Laws vary by state. Talk to your local Department of Commerce and Department of Licensing to receive the forms that you need to establish your business and to learn if you need a license to do bookkeeping.

You can notify the federal government of your business by applying for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). You can also create a business name for yourself and file a “Doing Business As” or “DBA” notice. These are some of the basic legal document that you are expected to have in place if you want to start a solar farm business in the United States of America;

  • Certificate of Incorporation
  • Business License
  • Business Plan
  • Non – disclosure Agreement
  • Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
  • Apostille
  • Employment Agreement (offer letters)
  • Operating Agreement
  • Company Bylaws
  • Operating Agreement for LLCs
  • Insurance Policy

13. Write a Business Plan

a. Create an overview of your company covering your mission statement, industry and a snapshot of your operations. Discuss the need that your business serves, and any industry trends that support the viability of establishing a solar farm, in addition to your company’s name, address and geographic reach.

b. Describe your company’s form of organization, its location and its competitive advantages. State the purpose of the business plan in this section in concrete terms: include the exact amount of funding or any other response the plan is intended to solicit from the reader.

c. Write an overview of your products and services. Describe the amount of electricity that will be generated by your solar farm, and detail your plans for the future expansion of your services. Compare the electricity produced by your business with traditional utilities and other alternative energy providers in terms of price, reliability and scalability.

d. Craft a marketing analysis section. Analyze your competitors and target customers in this section. Your primary competitors are likely to be large-scale alternative energy suppliers, such as other solar farms, wind turbine farms and large hydroelectric utilities.

e. Analyze the traditional energy suppliers; coal, natural gas and nuclear utilities in your region and discuss your company’s plan for gaining market share from these well-established powerhouses. Your target customers are likely to be established utility companies, large businesses, and government entities.

f. Create a financial plan section, including projected financial statements and ratio analysis. Large deployments of renewable energy technology, such as solar farms, require extensive capital resources at startup and feature a cost structure that decreases over time as the expensive technology begins to pay for itself.

g. Discuss possible sources of funding, including bank loans, stock offerings, and government grants. Grants are likely to play a large role in the initial funding of an alternative energy company.

h. Write a personnel plan. Include an organizational structure chart showing the layers and hierarchy of management, and present brief professional biographies of yourself and your executive team. Discuss the number and types of staff that will be employed in the solar farm’s initial years.

Consider keeping your staff to a minimum as long as possible in this type of business, using third-party labor for the installation of your solar equipment, and employing a small work force for maintenance and upkeep in addition to a small office staff.

i. Create an executive summary, and use it as the first section in your business plan. Provide a brief overview of each business plan section, highlighting the information that is most important to the specific reader of the plan. Consider altering your summary slightly to suit different readers; whether bankers, investors or even potential customers.

14. Prepare a Detailed Cost Analysis

A good number for solar farm cost per acre is typically $500,000 here in the U.S. You will find that typically a megawatt size solar farm system needs around five acres of land to be oriented and sited properly. This amount of acreage is also a good number if using any type of tracking systems on your panels to increase production levels is your goal.

A one-megawatt solar farm project will cost somewhere around $2.5 Million U.S. dollars and require a land of no less than about five acres. Building solar farms that have higher output rates while requiring less ongoing maintenance is what a solar farm company excels at.

When it comes to setting up a business, the tools and equipment that will be used are nearly the same cost everywhere, and any difference in prices would be minimal and can be overlooked. As for the detailed cost analysis for starting a standard solar panel installation, maintenance, and repair company; it might differ in other countries due to the value of their money.

However, this is what it would cost us to set up a solar farm in the United of America;

  • Business incorporating fees in the United States of America will cost – $750.
  • The budget for Liability insurance, permits and license will cost – $3,500.
  • Acquiring a vast acre of land large enough to contain the numbers of massive solar panels will cost – $400,000.
  • The amount required purchasing the needed solar energy equipment, tool box and repair equipment – $350,000.
  • Equipping of office facility (computers, printers, projectors, markers, servers / internet facility, furniture, telephones, filing cabinets, and electronics) will cost – $30,000.
  • Amount required to purchase the needed software applications to run the business – $3,500.
  • Launching an official Website will cost – $500.
  • Amount need to pay bills and staff members for at least 2 to 3 months – $250,000.
  • Additional Expenditure such as Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions will cost – $5,000.

Going by the report from the market research and feasibility studies, about $1.5 Million to successfully set – up a medium scale but standard solar farm in the United States of America.

15. Raise the Needed Startup Capital

Seek grant funding from government and private sources. As an alternative energy business, you may be eligible for significant grant money from a range of sources.

Raise additional financing through traditional means if necessary. Venture capitalists may be interested in injecting large sums of money into your venture if you impress them with your business model — your plan for profitability. Banks may also be willing to extend traditional business loans to help you get off the ground.

16. Choose a Suitable Location for your Business

Mounting a solar farm is a business that requires a land space to get started. Some professionals estimate that you need at least 15 acres of land to start a solar farm. If you have the capital, you can out rightly purchase the land, it you do not, you can lease the land.

However, make sure your leasing agreement covers at least 50 years. So that there will be no need to dismantle the panels sooner than expected. At this phase, it is time to start erecting the Photovoltaic power. Some companies offer the service of mounting the solar farm for you.

You can give them the contract of mounting the tower within your land space; the company should also be responsible for major maintenance and renovation of the solar farm because it is better to work with one company for a single long-term project than having different companies handle the contract.

17. Hire Employees for your Technical and Manpower Needs

A BSc degree in mechanical engineering or electrical engineering is required for solar engineering positions. In some areas, more advanced certification and qualifications could be required. Degrees in industrial engineering, chemical engineering, and computer software engineering may also be helpful.

Many of the responsibilities on a solar farm require a Professional Engineer (PE) or Engineer in Training (EIT) licensure. Licensure requirement: A degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program, A passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, relevant work experience, typically at least 4 years and a passing score on the Professional Engineering (PE) exam.

College graduates may take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam immediately. Engineers who pass this exam are called engineers in training (EITs) or engineer interns (EIs). After gaining four years of work experience, EITs and EIs can go on to take the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam to qualify for licensure.

Several states require engineers to participate in professional development activities in order to keep their licenses. Most states recognize licensure from other states, as long as that state’s requirements meet or exceed their own licensure requirements.

More complex jobs may require a MSc or PhD degree. Engineers are expected to participate in professional development to keep up with technological developments. They should also be familiar with AutoCAD, a computer-aided design program widely used in engineering.

Within solar engineering, AutoCAD is used for photovoltaic system layout. Some firms may also use Google SketchUp. Because solar engineers must consult with clients, create technical reports, and write emails, they should also have good communication skills which will be of benefit to your solar farm.

18. Get the Necessary Equipment

Typically, solar farms use a technology that is known as photovoltaic (PV). These systems use panels that are specially designed to convert sunlight or solar energy into electricity. PV systems include a battery, inverter, and solar tracker.

The shining blue panels (which are used to capture the sunlight), is often referred to as modules, and when used alone provide petite amounts of energy. However, in conjunction with other panels, much more usable energy can be provided.

Multiple modules linked together are often called an “array.” Several rows of arrays must be establishedto power businesses and homes. Arrays often need an inverter to convert the direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC). Since the inverter is extremely important to a solar farm, it should be purchased from a reputable company.

Producing this equipment has become relatively cheaper as the demand for solar power increases. The reduction in cost, in turn, means a lower overhead and a faster return on investment. Tax credits are also available, which allows for the purchasing of a solar farm to be more of a realistic opportunity than a dream.

19. Write a Marketing Plan Packed With ideas & Strategies

To survive in this industry, consider the use of the following marketing and sales strategies to attract clients;

  • Introduce your solar energy company cum solar panel installation, maintenance and Repair Company by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to individuals, households, corporate organizations, religious organizations and key stakeholders.
  • Promptness in bidding for solar panel supply, installation, repair, and maintenance contract from the government and other corporate organizations
  • Advertise our business in relevant business magazines, newspapers, TV stations, and radio station.
  • List your business on yellow pages ads (local directories)
  • Attend relevant international and local expos, seminars, and business fairs et al
  • Create different packages for different category of clients to work with their budgets and still deliver excellent services
  • Leverage on the internet to promote our business
  • Engage direct marketing approach
  • Encourage word of mouth marketing from loyal and satisfied clients

20. Develop an Iron-clad Competitive Strategies to Help You Win

If your plan is to sell directly to property owners who are existing or past clients, you can start by calling them to see if they are interested in solar. Without much knowledge about solar, you should be able to gauge a general interest. All you need to know is if they are interested in lowering their electric bills by investing in solar.

If you have found that customers are interested, start investing in technical and financial training. By investing in technical and financial training, you will have the skills to find and understand if a potential site and client will be a good fit for solar or not.

21. Brainstorm Possible Ways to Retain Clients & Customers

Establish a successful customer relationship management (CRM) solution. Implementing a well-devised CRM plan can better position savvy energy providers to retain and acquire the most profitable customers, build strong brand identity, keep information technology (IT) costs in line, and streamline operational efficiency.

A well-chosen CRM solution will enable utilities to succeed in their short- and long-term IT goals and stay within budget constraints.

The key enabler for building and maintaining these closer, more personal customer relationships is a complete view of each consumer. An integrated CRM solution built on the foundation of a customer-centric data warehouse can provide a customer view that focuses on improved communication and individuality.

To achieve these goals, energy companies should select a CRM solution from a data warehouse vendor who can provide an industry-specific system that can grow-orscale-for future needs.

With a CRM data warehouse solution that has been customized with data models and valuations specific to the energy industry, utilities can avoid costly and lengthy system customizations and reap the rewards of rapid implementation. With the appropriate CRM solution, businesses can receive a measurable return-on-investment (ROI) in as little as 90 to 120 days.

22. Develop Strategies to Boost Brand Awareness and Create a Corporate Identity

Map out clear cut publicity and advertising strategies that will walk your way into the heart of your intended market. If you want to become the number one choice for both corporate clients and individual customers in the whole of the United States and beyond, make provisions for effective publicity and advertisement of your solar energy farming company.

Below are the platforms you can leverage on to promote and advertise your new solar start-up;

  • Place adverts on both print (newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms.
  • Sponsor relevant community and renewable energy based events / programs.
  • Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google + et to promote our service.
  • Install solar powered digital BillBoards on strategic locations around your target market.
  • Engage in road show from time to time in targeted neighborhoods.
  • Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas.
  • Contact corporate organizations by calling them up and informing them of the services offered by your solar farm.
  • List your solar farm business in local directories / yellow pages.
  • Advertise your solar farming company on our official website and employ strategies that help pull traffic to the site
  • Ensure that all our staff members wear our branded shirts and all our vehicles are well branded with our company logo et al.

23. Create a Suppliers/Distributors Network

When looking at starting a solar farm, there are three main parts of the supply and distribution chain; developers, EPCs, and Subcontractors.

  • Support services. This includes accountants, lawyers, and supporting engineers. Especially in commercial solar, these services are part of the supply chain, but I will not discuss them in this article.
  • This includes the producers of all of the equipment that is installed. Yes, there are opportunities to bring new products to the market, but that is beyond the scope of this article.
  • Distributors provide low volumes of equipment and support services. This is mainly to the residential and light commercial market.

24. Tips for Running a Solar Farm Successfully

Running a solar farm is unlike a normal power station or a farm as the name implies. It requires a more complex knowledge of how a power plant runs and also how to harvest the natural resources provided unto the human race. This is a business of the future as the world is moving toward a cleaner and greener source of energy in the face of the depletion of the ozone layer as a result of different sources of fossil fuels which have led to global warming.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Where Can You Place A Solar Farm?

In addition to plenty of sun and moderate temperatures, solar works best in regions with light winds and low humidity. Also, regions currently covered with crops and grass provided the most optimal conditions for solar all over the world.

2. What Is The Roi On A Solar Farm?

According to reports, the agricultural sector stands the most to gain from a solar investment with an average ROI of 15.55% and a payback period of 8.1 years across all states. However, systems installed on commercial businesses are close behind, with an average ROI of 13.91% and 8.21-year payback period.

3. Can You Put A Solar Farm On Your Land?

Yes. You can lease your land for a solar farm.

4. Should You Start A Solar Farm, Is It Worth It From An Roi Standpoint?

According to Landmark Dividend, the average solar farm profit per acre lands somewhere between $21,250 and $42,500. So it is worth it.

5. What Kind Of Land Is A Good Candidate To Host A Solar Farm?

The best land for the installation of solar panels is clear, dry, relatively flat land that has good soil. For these reasons, “tillable” land is often an excellent candidate to host a solar farm.

6. What Are The Costs Involved In Opening A Solar Farm Business?

Solar farm installation costs are typically between $0.82 to $1.36 per watt. That means that a 1 megawatt (MW) solar farm would cost between $820,000 and $1.36 million. These figures are based on the SEIA’s average national cost figures in Q1 2020

Solar farms are much cheaper to build and operate than rooftop solar systems. SEIA stats show that residential solar panel systems — which are typically under 20 kW —cost $2.84 per watt.

7. How Much Does It Cost To Start A Solar Farm?

The cost of installing 1 mW of solar panels would run the landowner around one million dollars. However, many farms are a lot smaller and require less money to install solar.

8. What Happens During A Typical Day At A Solar Farm Business?

In a solar farm, many individual solar panels are grouped together to produce a lot of electricity. In most cases, panels are mounted on “single-axis tracking systems.” Solar panels are attached to horizontal poles which run north to south. Throughout the day the panels rotate from east to west to follow the sun.

9. How Profitable Is A Solar Farm?

In terms of revenue, you can earn in the ballpark of $40,000 per year by selling the electricity from a 1 MW solar farm.

10. What Are Some Insider Tips For Jump Starting A Solar Farm Business?
  • Become a self starter
  • Listen and following directions
  • Take the initiative in problem solving
  • Have the ability to understand the financials
  • Strategic Thinking
11. How does solar energy affect the community?

Community Solar allows people to take advantage of reduced electricity rates and clean energy without having to install or own a solar array on their property. It also allows people who may not own property to save money on their electric bill and support renewable energy.

12. Do Solar Farms Affect Property Values?

It is a common misconception that ground mounted solar farms decrease nearby property values. Examining property value in states across the United States demonstrates that large-scale solar arrays often have no measurable impact on the value of adjacent properties, and in some cases may even have positive effects.

13. Can Someone Make A Solar Farm And Sell The Energy To A Power Company Or Consumers?

You can’t exactly sell the electricity your solar system generated back to the utility. However, one of the biggest benefits of solar energy is the impact on your finances. Your solar system will keep money in your pocket that you’d otherwise be dishing out to the utility company for your monthly electricity bill.

14. Who Benefits From Solar Farms?
  • Government
  • Energy users
  • Land owners
15. How Many Acres Do You Need For A Solar Farm?

With all the equipment and space between panel rows, a 1 MW solar farm typically needs 6–8 acres, according to GTM Research.

Be aware that with large solar projects, you don’t just need space for the solar arrays. Land is also required to house allied equipment like inverters, and space needs to be left between rows of solar panels for repair and maintenance access.

16. Why Is There Such A Rise In Solar Farms, And Why Would Anyone Start A Solar Energy Farm Business?

The lower production costs of solar panels means that for the same amount of money, you will be able to get more power. People tend to invest more when they get a lot more from their investment. Therefore, the low cost of solar panels that has been experienced in the last few years has attracted more people.

17. What Are Some Skills And Experiences That Will Help You Build A Successful Solar Farm Business?
  • Technical knowledge
  • An inquiring mind
  • Ingenuity
  • Communication skills
  • Motivational skills
18. How Much Does A 1 Megawatt Solar Farm Cost?

The cost per watt per solar installation (at this scale) will range based on several factors, such as available sunlight hours and location, but it’s usually around $1/watt. Thus, a 1-megawatt solar farm would cost around $1 million to install.

19. How Many Acres Is 1 Mw Of Solar?

For a 1 MW solar power plant installation, the solar farm land requirements would be around 4 acres, when using a crystalline technology. When you use thin-film technology, a 1MW plant will require an average of 4.5 to 5 acres of land

20. Are Solar Farms A Good Investment?

Solar arrays are only part of the renewable energy technology currently available. While they continue to offer good returns, they represent a good return on land investment for developers and landowners.

21. What Is The Cost Of A Solar Power Plant Set Up In 1 Acre Of Land In India?

Land costs come to Rs. 5 Lakhs per acre (1MW plant requires minimum of 5 acres of land). Cost of setting up 1 MW solar power plant in 1 acre of land in India may vary between 3.87 Crores to 7 Crores subject to rates of land, distance to nearest power house, availability of befitting power grid, rates of hardware like solar panels and inverters along with solar BOS.

22. Do Solar Panels Make Your Roof Hotter?

According to a study conducted by researchers at UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering, solar panels reduced the amount of heat reaching the roof by an incredible 38%, keeping a building’s roof 5 degrees cooler than portions of a roof exposed to sunlight directly.

23. What Are The Disadvantages Of Solar Farms?
  • Reduced location and sunlight availability
  • Inefficiency
  • Pollution and environmental impact
  • Expensive energy storage
  • High initial cost
24. How Much Rent Do Solar Farms Pay?

The short answer is, “it depends,” but solar lease rates (also called “rents”) typically range from $250 to $2,000 per acre, per year.

25. What Do Solar Farms Pay The Landowner?

Taking location into account, as well as the other factors listed above, solar farm lease rates can come in anywhere from $300 to $2,000 per acre annually.

26. Are Solar Systems Worth It?

If you live in an area with high energy rates and a suitable solar rating and can afford the initial investment, it’s worth installing solar panels in your home while the 26% tax break is in place — for the good of the environment and your wallet.

Besides the federal tax credit, solar panels increase property values while lowering utility bills. Compared to gas or electric heating systems, solar panels save you much more in the long-run. Your solar panel system can pay for itself in three years.

27. Do Solar Panels Need Maintenance?

Solar panels generally require very little maintenance in order to function. The only thing they need is a periodic light cleaning to make sure dirt, leaves, and other debris aren’t obstructing the sun’s rays.

28. How Much Electricity Can Be Generated In 1 Acre Of Solar Panels?

When it comes to solar energy per acre, a photovoltaic solar plant which on average produces 1 GWh per year, will require around 2.8 acres of land. Therefore, we can say that for every acre, the plant produces an average of 0.357 GWh or 357 MWh of energy per year.

29. What Is The Cost For A Solar Installation In 1 Acre Of Land?

A good rule of thumb is that on average, a one-acre field of solar panels will cost from $400,000 to $500,000 before government incentives.

30. What Is The Market Rate That Utilities Are Paying Solar Farms For The Energy Produced Per Kwh?

For every kilowatt you sell back to SDGE, they will credit your account 40 cents a kilowatt. If you were to sell 100 kilowatts of solar power back to the electric company they would credit your upcoming bill 40 dollars.

31. Why Are Solar Farms Bad?

Large utility-scale solar panels take up a lot of space, which can result in environmental degradation and habitat loss. Solar farms that cover a large amount of land are likely to have an impact on the local fauna and flora, particularly on birds.

Huge solar farms could increase the warming of the planet and endanger the wildlife in the surrounding areas. Lastly, solar power facilities can adversely affect native vegetation and wildlife in many ways, including loss of habitat and interference with rainfall and drainage.

32. How Long Do Solar Farms Last?

Solar farms operate for 30 to 40 years. At the end of that period, a landowner hosting one may want to reach a new arrangement under which the solar farm is “repowered” with newer technology, or the landowner may choose to have the solar farm removed.

33. How Much Would I Make Selling Electricity Back To The Grid With A 1kw System?

Since rates vary with the market value of electricity, there’s no set dollar figure that you can expect to take home. However, many home producers make around $3,000 per year from a combination of REC sales and governmental clean energy incentives.

34. How Much Electricity Can You Produce With Solar Panels In A 2.5 Acre Area, And What Will Be The Cost?

Each panel require 0.000474 acre of area for a standard 320w panel. Since you have 2.5 acre of land just divide it. So it comes 5275 panels, since we have not considered pitch, shade and p2p distance, you can eliminate 1100 panels so it is 4175 panels.

So the power plant will produce 1.3MW. So productions of 1300kw multiply 4 units per kW is 5200 units per day, yearly 1560000 units ie at least for first 10 years.

35. Why Is Your Electric Bill So High With Solar Panels?

Solar power systems are finite resources—they can only produce so much energy consistent with the size of the system, and most utilities limit system size to the historical energy usage average at the site.

36. How Do You Rent Out Your Land To A Solar Plant?

Until unless there is any government regulation preventing you from renting out your land for green energy generation, you should be able to rent out as you would normally. However ensure to;

  • Limit the lease duration to the minimum of 1–1.5 years
  • Ensure to have the contract well written covering everything, like reinstating of all the landscaping works , or any alteration the client would have made to the property.
  • Make sure to add the mode of payment and milestone very very clearly.
  • If your budget allows, getting a lawyer to write up the contract would be good
37. How Much Does It Cost To Put Up A Solar Farm On A 30 Acre Piece Of Land?

At 18% efficiency, 1000 Wp(solar)/m2 translates to 180 Wp(electrical)/m2. 30 acres is 121,406 m2. That’s 21.85 MWp(electrical). At $4.50 per peak watt that’s $98.33 million capital cost.

Each watt peak electrical averages over the year 188 milliwatts given the fact its not sunny all the times. So, that reduces you average power output to 4.1 MW. That’s 36 million kWh per year. At $0.11 per kWh that’s worth $3.96 million per year. This just about covers your maintenance costs only.

38. Is It Dangerous To Live Near A Solar Farm?

Living next to a solar farm is not dangerous. People have a lot of concerns, but in the end, they are concerns that can be fixed or negated. There is no reason to fear living by a solar field more than one would fear living anywhere else.

39. How Much Money Does 1 Acre Of Solar Panels Make Uk?

The average net farm income can rise from £31 to £66 per acre while average farm profit margins can grow by £27 per acre. Farm gross margin across the whole area farmed can net in £280 per acre.

40. How Much Does It Cost To Setup A Solar Power Plant On 2 Acres Of Land, And How Much Energy Can Be Produced Daily From It?

According to Landmark Dividend, the average solar farm profit per acre lands somewhere between $21,250 and $42,500. The standard solar panel has an input rate of around 1000 Watts per square meter, and the majority of solar panels available have around 15-20%.

41. What Are The 2 Main Disadvantages Of Solar Energy?
  • Cost. The initial cost of purchasing a solar system is fairly high
  • Weather-Dependent. Although solar energy can still be collected during cloudy and rainy days, the efficiency of the solar system drops
42. How Much Revenue Can One Generate From A 1 Mw Solar Power Plant In Case He Takes The Maximum Possible Amount Of A Loan?

For small projects (less than 15–20 MW), your construction cost basis is going to be around $1.75 per watt, so you’re talking about capital costs on the order of $1.5 MM to $2 MM.

43. How Long Do Solar Farms Last, And What Happens At The End?

As a general rule of thumb, solar panels last for about 25-30 years. However, this doesn’t mean that they stop producing electricity after 25 years – it just means that energy production has declined by what manufacturers consider to be a significant amount.

44. Could A Farmer Make More Income Producing Solar Power Than Crops?

If the solar company leasing the acre can expect to produce $12,958 worth of electricity, then there is a chance they would pay $900 (approximately 7% of the value of the produced energy) to the farmer to lease the land. Electricity is a commodity that fluctuates in price, so in some climates and markets the numbers could be more favorable.

As far as profit, it’s almost certainly more profitable for the farmer to lease the land for panels. The farm has no labor costs, no seed or fertilizer costs, no water pumping, no equipment depreciating. It’s very possibly a better opportunity for the farmer.

45. Do Solar Farms Kill Birds?

In 2016, a first-of-its-kind study estimated that the hundreds of utility-scale solar farms around the US may kill nearly 140,000 birds annually.

With a concentrating solar plant, birds can be harmed when they fly too close to the path of the reflected solar energy. If they do, they can basically get cooked by the high energy rays. The estimate by biologists is that some solar plants kill about 3,500 birds per year this way.