Is Your Land Worth Leasing to a Solar Developer?
Solar, wind, and battery storage developers are offering Australian farmers $750–$30,000 per hectare per year. Find out what your land is worth — and how to negotiate the best deal.
Estimate Your Annual Lease Income
Move the slider to see what your land could earn.
- Lease terms run 25–30 years — income is guaranteed regardless of drought or commodity prices.
- You keep ownership of the land throughout.
- Sheep grazing under solar panels (agrisolar) is increasingly available.
Is My Land Suitable?
- ✓Size
20+ hectares preferred. Smaller parcels may suit battery storage.
- ✓Location
Within 10km of a high-voltage transmission line significantly increases value.
- ✓Topography
Flat to gently sloping land for solar. Wind suits elevated ridgelines.
- ✓Current use
Grazing and low-yield cropping is ideal. Agrisolar lets sheep keep grazing.
- ✓REZ corridors
Land within QLD, NSW, or VIC Renewable Energy Zones is in highest demand.
Even if your land doesn't tick every box — register it. Developers are actively expanding their search criteria as prime sites fill up.
What You Need to Know
You don't have to stop farming
Agrisolar allows sheep grazing under panels. Wind turbines have minimal footprint. You can lease only part of your land.
The first offer is rarely the best
Developers start low. Getting multiple bids is the single most effective way to increase your rate. We connect you with independent advisers who negotiate on your behalf.
Get legal advice before signing
Solar leases run 25–60 years. An independent renewable energy lawyer should review any contract before you sign.
Register Your Land
Tell us about your property and we'll connect you with accredited solar developers actively seeking land in your area. Free. No obligation.
Our Developer Partners
We work with accredited renewable energy developers and land brokers actively seeking land across Australia.
Actively placing 5 MW battery projects across QLD, NSW, and VIC.
roksolid.auAre you a solar or battery storage developer seeking land? Contact us about listing your projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do solar developers pay to lease land in Australia?+
Standard solar farm leases pay $750–$1,500 per hectare per year, depending on state, grid proximity, and land quality. Battery storage typically pays $15,000–$30,000 per hectare per year on a much smaller footprint, and wind leases pay $10,000–$40,000 per turbine per year.
How long does a solar farm lease last?+
Most Australian solar farm leases run for 25–30 years, with optional extensions of 5–10 years. The land returns to you at the end of the term.
Can I keep farming my land if I lease it for solar?+
Often yes. 'Agrisolar' arrangements allow sheep to graze under and between solar panels. For wind farms, only the turbine footprint and access tracks are removed from production — the rest of the paddock remains farmable.
What is a Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) and does my land qualify?+
REZs are government-declared areas with planned transmission upgrades — currently strongest in QLD, NSW, and VIC. Land inside or adjacent to a REZ is in highest demand and commands premium rates.
How do I know if my land is near a transmission line?+
Proximity to a high-voltage transmission line (typically within 10km) sharply increases lease value. You can check transmission maps published by AEMO and your state's network operator, or register your land and we will assess it for you.
What is battery storage (BESS) and why does it pay so much more per hectare?+
A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is a compact grid-connected battery installation, typically on a single hectare. Because the developer is buying grid connection rather than land area, the per-hectare lease rate is dramatically higher than solar.
Do I need a lawyer before signing a solar lease?+
Yes. Solar leases run 25–60 years and contain access, decommissioning, escalator, and assignment clauses that are not standard. Always have an independent renewable energy lawyer review the contract before you sign.
What happens to my land at the end of the lease?+
A well-drafted lease requires the developer to fully decommission the site — removing panels, inverters, fencing, and concrete — and return the land to its prior condition. A decommissioning bond should be in place from day one.
Will a solar lease affect my rates, water rights, or land title?+
The lease is registered on title as an encumbrance. Council rates on the leased portion typically become the developer's responsibility. Water rights generally remain with the landowner. Your lawyer should confirm all three for your specific contract.
How do I get multiple offers from developers?+
The single most effective way to increase your rate is competitive tension. Register your land with us and we'll connect you with multiple accredited developers, not just the first one to knock on your door.