Grand Rapids, Michigan · Solar development
We build solar in West Michigan and stay for the life of the project.
Nelson Energy Co. develops and owns community-scale solar arrays on leased land. We don't build a project and sell it to an out-of-state buyer. The company that signs your lease is the company that runs the array and restores your land at the end.
A project at a glance
What one of our solar sites looks like
- Land
- Open, mostly flat ground. Farmland and old pasture both work, and the array uses only part of the property.
- Size
- Sized to fit the land and what the local grid can accept, from smaller community arrays to larger sites.
- Grid connection
- A nearby three-phase power line in Consumers Energy territory. We handle the utility application and studies.
- Your role
- Lease the land. There's no cost to you, and you keep using the acres outside the fence.
- End of life
- We remove the equipment and restore the land. The lease spells out how that is paid for.
Develop, then own
One company from the first conversation to the last lease payment
Develop
We find the site, study the grid connection with Consumers Energy, and work through township zoning and permits.
Build
We install the array, fencing and grid connection, planning access and timing around your operation.
Own and operate
We keep the project for its full life and handle maintenance, mowing and repairs. You always know who to call.
How we work with landowners
No pressure, plain answers
No pressure
A letter from us starts a conversation. It isn't an offer with a deadline, and you can say no at any point.
Plain answers
We explain lease terms, property taxes and decommissioning in writing before you sign anything.
Your own advice
We encourage every landowner to have an attorney review the lease, and we'll answer their questions too.
Nelson Energy Co. started by helping farmers and landowners negotiate solar and wind leases with outside developers. We still treat every conversation that way.
Our first project
A community-scale array in the Grand Rapids area
We're developing our first project now: about 1.2 megawatts on roughly 8 acres, targeting operation in 2028.
The project plan sets aside 1% of gross revenue for renewable energy education for local students, and opens the site to college field trips so students can see a working solar array up close.
Have land you're curious about?
Send the address or parcel number. We'll tell you plainly whether it could work, at no cost and with no obligation.
Ask about your land