Partnering with Heelstone allows you, the landowner, to further your contribution to a sustainable future. By hosting projects on your land, you are participating in the transition toward clean and renewable energy.
Our projects bring lasting benefits to the communities they are built in. From new jobs and local spending to meaningful tax revenue that supports schools, roads, and essential services. Heelstone is committed to providing landowners with stable income and improved air quality, creating healthier, more resilient places to live. These projects offer long-term economic stability and partnerships that help communities grow stronger for decades to come.
Whether you prefer long-term leases or purchase agreements, our dedicated team is committed to working closely with you throughout the development process. We value lasting and transparent relationships based on mutual respect and trust.
At Heelstone, we understand the pride that comes with owning and caring for your land. Your land is a valuable asset and many landowners are seeking to diversify that investment by partnering with developers. We welcome the opportunity to help you take advantage of the economic stability offered by renewable energy.
Hosting a renewable project is a big decision. We have compiled responses to frequent questions to get us started.
We look for land that is relatively flat, clear of environmental constraints, has sufficient sunlight, and is located near existing power infrastructure. Large-scale projects usually require at least several hundred acres per site. Every site is evaluated individually for technical, environmental, and community factors.
Lease rates vary by region, land characteristics, and proximity to infrastructure. In general, solar leases typically provide steady, long-term revenue that is often higher and more predictable than farming or other land uses.
During the option period (before construction), you can continue your current land use. Once construction begins, the fenced project area will no longer be available for farming or other uses. Some projects may incorporate dual use, such as grazing sheep or planting pollinator-friendly vegetation that may allow for partnership opportunities.
When the lease ends, the project is decommissioned. All panels and surface equipment are removed and recycled where possible, roads and fencing can be taken out, and the land is restored so it can be farmed or used however you choose.
The developer or project operator is entirely responsible for equipment, fencing, vegetation control, and access roads inside the leased area. Landowners have no maintenance obligations.
Construction usually lasts between 9–18 months based on project size. You can expect temporary traffic from trucks and equipment, as well as crews on-site. Once built, solar projects are quiet, with only occasional small service vehicles for maintenance.
After construction takes place, solar facilities are quiet neighbors. Solar panels themselves are silent. Inverters and tracking motors produce a low hum, roughly comparable to a residential air conditioner, and are not typically audible outside the project fence line.
Solar panels are designed to absorb light, not reflect it. Their glare is less than windows or water surfaces. Projects are less than 15 feet in height.
Solar is a low-impact land use and compatible with wildlife usage. Projects avoid sensitive areas like wetlands and are designed with stormwater management to minimize runoff. Pollinator-friendly plantings or grazing animals may be used to improve soil health and wildlife habitat.
Studies consistently show that solar projects do not negatively affect neighboring property values, and in some cases may have neutral or even positive impacts.
Solar projects generate clean energy, create local jobs during construction, and increase local tax revenue with little added demand for services.
Sites are evaluated for wind speed, open space, minimal obstructions, and proximity to existing transmission infrastructure. Most wind projects require multiple contiguous land parcels, and wind turbines are often sited on farmland or ranchland with ongoing agricultural use.
Each wind turbine generally requires 1–2 acres of impact, but wind projects typically need 60-80 acres per turbine to provide appropriate spacing for wind flow and safety. The total “footprint” occupied by equipment and roads is small, and the majority of land will remain in its current use (farming, agricultural, ranching etc.).
Landowners are paid a greater part of the per MW or acreage payment. Access roads are covered by turbine payments.
Yes. The majority of the land can remain in productive agricultural use. Only the areas directly around turbines, access roads, and equipment pads are restricted. Farming and ranching may continue on the rest of the property.
When the lease ends, the project is decommissioned. All turbines and surface equipment are removed and recycled where possible, roads and fencing can be taken out, and the land is restored so it can be farmed or used however you choose.
The wind project developer or operator is responsible for all maintenance, repairs, and safety inspections for turbines, access roads, and associated infrastructure. Landowners have no maintenance obligation for wind equipment.
Independent studies and company evidence show wind projects do not decrease surrounding property values and, in many regions, provide increased tax revenue for schools, infrastructure, and public services. HRE pay the tax directly associated with our improvements. Can vary state to state, county to county.
Wind farms generate local economic benefits: jobs during construction and operations, lease payments to landowners, and increased local tax revenue that supports schools and infrastructure. HRE engages with communities through public meetings, updates, and participatory planning.
All wind projects require extensive environmental reviews to assess impacts on wildlife, vegetation, wetlands, and cultural resources. Projects are designed to avoid sensitive habitats and comply with federal and state regulations.
Construction usually lasts between 9–18 months based on project size. You can expect temporary traffic from trucks and equipment, as well as crews on-site. Once built, onsite activities include general maintenance by the Operations team.
An energy storage system stores electricity in large arrays of batteries (typically lithium-ion) housed in facilities similar to shipping containers. This stored power is released to the grid during periods of high demand or when other sources aren’t generating electricity.
Energy storage supports grid reliability by storing excess energy when it is plentiful and delivering it when it is needed most. This helps balance fluctuations in renewable generation, provides backup power, and can delay costly grid upgrades. It enables more renewable energy to be available around the clock.
Battery energy storage facilities are housed in enclosed, monitored containers equipped with fire suppression and cooling systems. Facilities are built to meet strict federal, state, and local safety codes and are monitored 24/7. Companies train and collaborate with local first responders to ensure safe operations and coordinated emergency response.
These systems have no moving parts and require minimal on-site maintenance. They are remotely monitored for performance and safety. Frequent site visits involve routine inspections and equipment testing.
At the end of a battery energy storage facility’s life—typically 20–30 years—all equipment and containers are removed, and efforts are made to recycle or repurpose battery modules and other materials wherever possible. Recyclers recover valuable components such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and aluminum, minimizing waste and supporting a circular economy. After removal and recycling, the site is restored to its original condition or can be repurposed as desired by the landowner.
Energy storage systems generate very little sound (mostly from cooling and HVAC units during operation); they are considered a low-impact land use.
Energy storage increases the reliability and resilience of the electric grid, supports the integration of more renewable energy, creates construction and maintenance jobs, and provides local tax revenue while using little infrastructure.
