Joining the Alliance as a land owner
Join over 1000 other lots and let us do the heavy lifting for you
By joining the Renewables Land Alliance and combing your acreage with your neighbors, you are opening yourself up to a massive list of benefits and opportunities not available to most land owners.
Benefits
- Owner retains 100% ownership of their lots.
- Contract remains between developer and land owner. All Alliance fees are paid by the developer.
- Receive checks directly from developer for life of contract (typically 20-35 years).
- Owners don't pay any increases in property taxes related to the project.
- No costs ever. No HOA type fees. All expenses paid for by the developer for the life of the contract. Alliance eliminates costs to property owner.
- For a given project, developer can only work with Alliance members.
- Price per acre per year is negotiated up front. Income ranges from $1000/acre per year up to $2500+.
- Lots as small as 2.5 acres can belong to the Alliance where typically, developers won't engage with owners when lots are under 40 acres.
- Developers also try to limit the number of owners they work with on a given project to just 1 or 2 owners. Having three or more owners greatly increases the complexity, costs and timing of the project, for the developer.
- If the developer is unable to obtain required permits, or otherwise is unable to build the project to completion, the owners in the Alliance keep all Option Fees collected to that date (minimum of 1 year of option fees which are typically $150 per acre per year). Owner keeps all that they are paid.
- Owner may also sell the lot to other owners of the Alliance both pre and post project development. Contracted or developed properties become much more valuable. In some cases, land can increase in value by 20 times.
- The successful path to a developed property dramatically increases with the Alliance. The larger the project, the more valuable it becomes.
- Owners have no legal commitment until a contract is signed with the developer. Owners may back out anytime prior to signing.
- Owners may refer all developer inquiries to the Alliance for ease.
- No property maintenance is required for areas in contract.
- Most all contracts are 20-35 years and may be passed to future generations.
- Owner owns the contract specifically with developer, no one else. Once a long term contract is signed, the owner no longer needs to be a member of the Alliance for that property.
- Alliance has the most experience negotiating with developers. We sign only the best deals and maximize your income well beyond what a typical property owner could obtain on their own.
- We believe contracts will be 25%-50% higher because of our negotiating power and the speed/efficiency the developers have negotiating with just one entity.
- Alliance works to determine the highest and best use for your parcel to maximize revenues.
- Negotiation of all contracts whose higher values alone would be greater than the 12% fee because of the Alliance's negotiating power. Leave the price and terms negotiation to the Alliance The Alliance earns their fee!
- Owners may back out at anytime until a contract is signed with a developer.
- Owners no longer must pay attorneys to review contracts which typically run around $10,000 per contract. The Alliance uses a standardized contract so developers only need to work with one agreement.
- Owners can submit a single property or many.
- Most owners can't possibly keep up to date with all technologies and be intelligent with market based fees, contract features, all future technology changes and much more. This area of contract negotiation is highly complex leaving land owners at a disadvantage compared to developers.
- The Alliance is instrumental in protecting owners from unscrupulous developers and fast pitched salesmen.
- The Alliance has their own attorneys that review contracts for standardization.
- Owners may review contracts as desired and without obligation, prior to signing. Owners are allowed up to 6 weeks for review of a proposed contract.
- The owners can work with farmers that wish to maintain most of their land for existing uses. This includes the use of agrivoltaics that combine renewable energy with crop/pasture production. Imagine cows/sheep grazing under solar panels where the grass grows even better due to better conditions.
- Alliance will market owners land to dozens of developers both national and international.
- Alliance land owners have signed over 50 projects to date among 20+ developers. Dozens are in the queue.
- The Alliance can assist in selling land when such parcel is targeted by a developer. Land owners have full control and may still sell their land through traditional channels. Typically, other Alliance members may be interested in the purchase of lots that are contiguous to their own.
- Owners have no requirements for infrastructure investments or maintenance of equipment.
- The Alliance provides owners with the confidence of negotiating like they have ten thousand acres.
- Most owners aren't aware of income from easements. The Alliance has such expertise resulting in long term income for a very small portion of your land. Most are non-exclusive allowing you to use the easement as well.
- Owner remains able to sell their property at anytime pre or post contract signing.
- Because your property is next to an Alliance member, the lot and resources are already well known. All lots next to your lot are likely the same as yours for most attributes.
- Owner may cancel membership in the Alliance at anytime though we request a 90 day notice so we may purge our systems of your lot.
- Solar developers that Alliance members have signed contracts with include over 15 of the top 25 solar development firms.
- Web portal and normal email allows you to review offers and communicate directly with your neighbors.
- Alliance actively markets all members properties to the top developers in the renewable industry and throughout the world.
- Alliance will represent common political actions that represents the majority of our members and to further landowners and renewables rights and interests.
- Be protected from project end of life as all developers must remove all equipment at the end of the lease. Owners are protected from end of term land restoration expenses.
Next steps to take
1. Considering your inclusion in the Alliance for the promotion of your property and indicate acceptance of being a member (no signed contract required). Just tells us "your in!"
2. Alliance solicits other neighboring properties to join.
3. Alliance solicits developers on behalf of all members to obtain offers for all the neighbors in the Alliance.
4. Land owner reviews any offers and accepts or rejects such contract.
5. Alliance identifies all lots/owners willing to participant in a project, to the developer with an attempt to right size the number of acres they desire.
6. Developer and member sign contracts directly and are paid directly.
7. Developer pays first Option Fee to Owner within 30 days of their counter-signing. Developer pays Alliance fee and any attorney fees borne by the Alliance on behalf of the members.
8. Owner is no longer a member of the Alliance for that specific lot once a contract is in place. Our work is done for that project and that lot.
FAQ
Q: Why do I have to decide within 6 weeks of receiving an offer?
A: Developers are on quick timelines. It's an advantage to them to know they will be presented owners lots that can sign within six weeks. We believe six weeks provides ample time to consider an offer.
Q: Can I negotiate my own pricing?
A: You can though this puts a great burden on the developers. The advantage of the Alliance is that they negotiate one contract and one price for all the lot owners in a specific development. The Alliance recommends all the paperwork and terms.
Q: What happens if I don't participate in the Alliance? A: Your land will be specifically excluded from projects the Alliance works with. Your lot may be orphaned and could be surrounded by a development many of your neighbors had accepted.
Q: What if I receive a direct offer when I'm a member of the Alliance?
A: As a member you are free to accept any offer for your land from any source. You will be on your own to negotiate terms and the hundreds of details of every contract that impact your lot, the usage type, and that specific area. Contracts up to 35 years can be very complicated and intimidating.
Q: Will I be guaranteed a contract with the help of the Alliance?
A: No, but your odds of a contract are far greater with the Alliance than going it alone. Offers won't come pouring in as this is still a very new field and there is a lot of land out there. A lot depends upon the features of the lots around you and what the developer needs to see it through to completion.
Q: What is the risk of being a member?
A: Since the Alliance doesn't ask you to sign a contract you have little to no risk. You are only being asked to express your interest in signing a contract for your land if the Alliance can present you an offer.
Q: What if I miss the email of an offer?
A: We will send an email to your designated address as well as send a text or call. You may also provide a secondary contact.
Q: Might the Alliance decline my property for membership?
A: Yes as not all properties work. Parcels that are not accepted include land in a major flood plain, land with existing leases, land that our developers would not be able to use, land that is to small (less than 2.5 acres), etc.
Q: What if I sell my land while I'm a member?
A: Nothing, but we appreciate it if you let us know so we can contact the new owner. As a member, your land may even be more valuable, as buyers might appreciate the lot was accepted into the Alliance.
Q: What happens if, as a member, I receive an offer but I decline it?
A: Nothing really. You just won't participate in a development that could be all around your property. If your lot is smaller and not large enough to be of value to most all developers, then without your neighbors joining you, developers are likely to look elsewhere. Most developers look for larger groups of lots some wanting as much as 2000 to 10000 acres. Your neighbors likely have the option to accept an offer that you chose not to.
Q: What if my lot is large enough to stand alone, not needing a neighbors participation?
A: While one of the significant advantages of the Alliance is working together with other owners, the Alliance also handles all of the contracts, negotiations and helps insure a trouble free deal for you. All of this is at no cost to you. We know of no other firm or group that has more experience in negotiating renewable contracts with developers.
Q: Can I have my own attorney review it?
A: Of course, though it's at your own expense. Developers will only pay for 1 attorney to review the agreement on your behalf (which is the Alliances) and understandably, would not want to work with an attorney from every owner.
Q: What if my attorney wants to make changes?
A: They may contact the Alliance's attorney firm and discuss any suggested changes. Such changes will be at the sole discretion of the Association and their counsel. Any costs related to such review would be born by the land owner. In short, we believe we have the best attorneys in the industry but if you feel we missed something important, feel free to request a review. Most of the time, your attorney may have feedback that may not be viable but if they have a lot of experience in solar contracts, we welcome their suggestions. On occasion, you might have something specific to your situation. Also remember that the Alliance has signed dozens of contracts and have worked at length through most every potential consideration.
Contact Us
Interested in joining the Alliance?
Reach out to us by completing the form below, emailing us at devin@renewableslandalliance.com, or by calling/texting us at 408-476-8230
