To the Editor: 

An organization from Santa Monica California, with offices in Gilbert, Arizona and several other locations, with the name Cypress Creek Renewables recently sent out a mailing to many local landowners inviting them to enter into an agreement to lease their land for use as a solar farm.  The “premium price” of $1,500 per acre per year is offered for 20 acres, plus property taxes, if the land is acceptable after further review. 

After doing a little research, I believe that Cypress Creek Renewables is speculating on land that could be in high demand soon.  These mailings seem to have been sent out without consideration of the real probability of using the land for solar development.

For example, proximity of land to three phase power lines is important, but these mailings seem not to be taking this into consideration.  It looks like the aim of these mailings is to sign up landowners and land so that, if another developer is interested in putting up a solar array, this developer will have to bargain with Cypress Creek Renewables for use of the land.

Be wary if you are offered a small fee ($250 or so) in return for the option to use your land, as this would limit your ability to consider other offers at little benefit to you. Also, it is important to read the fine print to determine if some other unintended consequences are involved, for example, access to mineral rights.

I believe it is advisable for landowners to carefully consider the credentials of any company making an offer before signing over the rights to their land. There are a number of reputable solar energy developers in our area that have proven track records and happy customers to recommend their work.   

Russ Pokorny

Knox

Editor’s note: Russ Pokorny is the president of Helderberg Community Energy, a citizens group encouraging the use of renewable energy, and working to sponsor a Community Net Metering Solar Array in the Hilltowns. He is also the Knox town assessor. See related story.