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SEIA Releases New Guide to Land Leases for Solar

Monday, Jul 25 2016

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Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, solar is the fastest-growing source of energy in America. Large scale solar projects in need of acres of land are expanding rapidly throughout the U.S., producing clean, affordable, reliable electricity, and providing farmers and other landowners with unique revenue-generating opportunities.

In an effort to better serve landowners interested in leasing their unused or underused land, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today released the SEIA Guide to Land Leases for Solar. From start to finish, this comprehensive guide covers the important aspects of how to work with a solar developer, from initial site visit to lease finalization.

“The solar industry is committed to full understanding of solar by consumers, including farmers and other landowners,” said Tom Kimbis, SEIA’s interim president.  “This new guide brings transparency to landowners to help them navigate agreements with a sense of ease, knowing they’re asking the right questions and armed with all the information they need to make a smart decision.”

“Solar power, including solar land leasing, presents a huge opportunity for farmers, but they need to be well-informed and advised so they can negotiate fair terms,” said Suzanne Hunt of New York’s Hunt Country Vineyards and Hunt Green LLC. “This new guidance document from SEIA will help farmers and other landowners make informed decisions so that solar land leasing will work for them and their families now and for many years to come.”

“We have been growing corn and soybeans on our farm for decades, and only recently considered switching to solar,” said Stephanie Walton of Shelbyville, Kentucky.  “Solar is new to our area, and we didn’t know which questions to ask solar developers. This guide is exactly what we need as farmers to make the right choices to maximize income with available land.”

This consumer protection tool is part of SEIA’s Consumer Protection Initiative, including a suite of free resources that SEIA has developed to help Americans better understand the solar transaction. The SEIA Guide to Land Leases for Solar complements the recently-released Residential Consumer Guide to Community Solarand theResidential Consumer Guide to Solar Power.

These consumer guides showcase how solar serves every community in America and can be put to great use in the nation’s achievement of the “Clean Energy Savings for All” initiative. They also add to the array of real estate resources being highlighted this week by the Department of Energy.

To access these guides along with other consumer resources, go to: http://www.seia.org/policy/consumer-protection/solar-customer-resource-portal

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About SEIA®:

Celebrating its 42nd anniversary in 2016, the Solar Energy Industries Association® is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Through advocacy and education, SEIA® is building a strong solar industry to power America. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies to champion the use of clean, affordable solar in America by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org.

Media Contact:

Alex Hobson, SEIA Senior Communications Manager, [email protected] (202) 556-2886