LANDOWNERS
Champions of change
Trusted partners in our greener, cleaner future
Modern farming, traditional values
For thousands of years, farmers have leveraged their intimate knowledge of land and life to sustain communities. With advancements in technology, we now have the ability to harvest the planet's oldest and most powerful resource — the sun — to meet a new, essential need.
The need for reliable and affordable energy.
Landowner partners are integral to creating a future with greater energy access, affordability, and independence. Working alongside owners, we take an honest and transparent approach to developing impactful energy solutions without compromising the integrity of the land on which they sit.
Benefits for Landowners
Steady Income
Long-term reliable income that will diversify your revenue streams
Fallow Land
Rest and revive farmed land to increase the soil's microbiome for future
farming operations
Leave a Legacy
Your land and energy stewardship will have a meaningful impact on current and future generations
Local Economic Impact
Create jobs and local tax revenue for your community
The Development Process
The development process and timeline will look a little different for each project, but here is what you can typically expect:
Phase 1: Identification and Land Leasing (1-2 months)
The Shift Solar team will evaluate your land and come up with a competitive lease rate for your area. If you wish to move forward, you will review and sign an Option to Lease Agreement.
Phase 2: Development (6-24 months)
We collaborate with local utilities, community representatives, neighbours, and permitting authorities in order to get approval to build the solar farm. We also conduct environmental studies and wildlife surveys to help us understand and mitigate our impact.
Phase 3: Construction (12-18 months)
In close consultation with you, we construct a non-intrusive solar development that minimizes and mitigates the impact to the land and the environment.
Phase 4: Operations and Maintenance (up to 40 years)
We take care of long-term operations and maintenance of the solar development which requires very little on-site presence.
Phase 5: Decommissioning (18 months)
Once the facility has reached end of life, the equipment will be removed and the land will be restored to its pre-project condition. This may include measures such as reseeding and re-tiling.
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What makes a site suitable for solar?There are a few characteristics we look for when identifying a suitable site for solar development. This includes: Accessibility On a public road and have year-round access for long term operations and maintenance. Unobstructed Free from trees, wetlands, floodplains, endangered species, etc. Contiguous Parcels that are next to each other and not split into smaller parcels by wetlands etc. Location Near electrical infrastructure (Power Lines, Substations) Size >25 acres Topography Relatively flat and less than 15 degree slope
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Will it impact my property value?There have been no studies or findings to show a negative affect on local property values. With the exception of a few annual maintenance visits, the system sits quietly and generates clean energy for the local community. Because of the minimalist approach to electricity generation, local neighbors will not be impacted by the solar farm.
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What happens if I want to sell my land?Our preferred land deal is one where we lease the land and work shoulder to shoulder with you and the community to bring local benefits for years to come. We understand that your best option might be to sell the land to us and we are happy to discuss this option with you. If you should want to sell your land during the lease term, the contract will be assigned to the new landowner and they will benefit from the steady income and all other terms of the contract for the remainder of the project life.
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What is the impact of having solar on my land?The disturbance to the land is minimal. Plants will grow under the panels and around the equipment, and little to no water is used once the farm is in operation. A full remediation plan will be put into effect, and once the solar farm stops operating, all equipment will be removed, and the land will be returned to its original state.
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Are other land uses possible while solar is on my land?Traditionally, no other land use is permissible once the solar farm has been installed. With the exception of establishing a pollinator habitat of low growth clover and wild flowers, the site will remain undisturbed during its years of operation. The land surrounding the solar farm will, of course, be available for traditional farming practices and will remain under the full control of the landowner.
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How much land is needed to build a solar facility?Community solar projects require between 25 to 50 acres depending on size and design parameters. Utility-Scale solar projects may require 100 acres or more.
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How long does it take to build a community solar facility?From the moment that the option agreement is signed, it will take roughly 12 months to fully develop and prepare the project for a contract. Once the contract has been awarded, it would take a further 12 to 18 months for construction and project commissioning.
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What happens during the solar farm’s operation?The purpose of planting low growth grasses, clover, and wildflowers is to minimize the need for intervention within the solar farm. There will always be a need for minimal maintenance, and Shift Solar will contract out landscaping services to ensure that the site and equipment are being maintained. These operations will cause no disturbance to the landowner.
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What happens at the end of the solar facility’s lifespan?As part of Shift Solar’s project planning, adequate funds are routinely set aside for a full decommissioning and land remediation plan. The objective is to restore the land as it was prior to the solar farm being installed.
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Will the solar facility generate any nuisance background noise or smells?Solar farms emit little to no ambient noise. Any potential sound that comes from electronic equipment or cooling fans would normally dissipate within 20 feet of the source which is well within the boundaries of the fenced area.