UNIVERSITY PARK — Landowners are invited to attend a Penn State Extension webinar to further explore solar energy interests and receive information on land leasing.

The webinar will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. April 22. This program is free of cost, but registration is required.

Dan Brockett, Extension energy educator, and Brook Duer, attorney from the Penn State Agricultural Law Center, will discuss the economics, land use issues, and legal issues that landowners may wish to consider in making the best deal for their land.

“I didn’t expect we could have large scale solar energy projects in Pennsylvania due to limited sunshine, but companies are indicating the solar resource is sufficient to be profitable,” Brockett said. “Due to that opportunity, numerous landowners in this region are receiving letters and other correspondence from land agents indicating they’re interested in leasing land for solar development. The interest is statewide with sizable financial offers being made to landowners for ‘options’ to lease land for solar development.”

“It’s important for landowners to fully understand any lease documents being offered before they sign,” Duer said. “These are lengthy legal commitments and everything about this industry is new. The companies involved and the documents they use don’t have a track record.”

This will be an important decision for some landowners, affecting their economics, land use, and future agricultural opportunities. To learn more or register for the webinar, visit https://extension.psu.edu/solar-leasing-for-landowners.