Land Consultant
Land consultants advise project developers, interact with land agents and stakeholders, and perform a variety of other tasks to ensure successful projects. In the renewable energy sector, this may include everything from strategizing on the ideal location for a solar park to coordinating on-the-ground teams.
Land Consultants in Renewable Energy
Developing a renewable energy project from the ground up involves numerous interrelated variables, such as financial budgeting, engineering, vendor negotiations, construction, permitting, public relations, and land acquisition. Engaging a land consultant can help alleviate a project developer’s workload while providing additional expertise.
Actual responsibilities may vary depending on the specific situation, but land consultants can be especially valuable when it comes to:
Analyzing land requirements: A land consultant can help translate a project’s objectives and scope into a prioritized list of land-related requirements, such as calculating acreage requirements for a battery storage project or partnering with land technicians to identify opportunities in an area of interest (AOI).
Budgeting for land services: Unless the project developer has access to an in-house land department, contract land agents may be required to support lease acquisition. Land consultants can help estimate the number of land agents required as well as the associated cost.
Managing land agents: Land consultants also serve as project managers to mobilize land agents and ensure they’re delivering adequate results based on the original plan.
Reporting on project progress and expenses: Using CRM, project management, and mapping technology allows land agents to prepare meaningful reports for renewable energy developers. In some cases, reports may indicate the need for a strategy shift, such as when agents must be redeployed due to changes in landowner interest.
Coordinating title work and legal agreements: Promptly executing lease or purchase agreements with landowners is a key step for keeping projects on track. Land consultants work with title and legal teams to efficiently coordinate research and documentation.
Interacting with stakeholders: Not everyone will be enthusiastic about a planned solar, wind, or battery storage park. Land consultants work closely with local governments and farm organizations to gain buy-in.
Providing strategic advice: Experienced land consultants leverage their local knowledge to support clients’ decision-making. For example, sharing existing land lease rates for a region can help the project developer build a more effective negotiation strategy.
Talk to Our Land Consultants
New Era Land Services provides land consulting services for the renewable energy industry. Our goal is to deliver value throughout the entire life of the project. Contact us to discuss your next project in the lower 48 states.