How energy storage leasing works

Why should you lease a site for a battery energy storage system?

Land is the most important resource for the development of battery energy storage systems. Several factors must be considered when considering the leasing of a site for a BESS project, some of the most important being: The size of the land required for a BESS project depends on the capacity of the battery system.

Why are solar & battery storage lease rates increasing?

The increasing demand for land suitable for solar and battery storage projects has driven up lease rates in recent years, especially because of the incentives offered by the IRA Renewable Energy. As the industry expands, competition for land is intensifying, particularly in regions with favorable solar and wind resources.

What is an energy storage project?

An energy storage project is a cluster of battery banks (or modules) that are connected to the electrical grid. These battery banks are roughly the same size as a shipping container. These are also called Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), or grid-scale/utility-scale energy storage or battery storage systems.

What is a battery energy storage system?

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are rapidly emerging as a critical component of the renewable energy landscape. As the demand for clean and reliable energy grows, BESS plays a crucial role in ensuring grid stability and optimizing energy utilization. Land requirements are a significant factor in the development of BESS projects.

What is the average lease rate for solar projects?

Recent research by Purdue University revealed that the average lease rate for solar projects has exceeded $1,000 per acre in many regions. With the growing interest in BESS projects, it’s reasonable to expect similar trends in land lease rates for battery storage facilities.