What makes land worth evaluating for solar or development?

Record the parcel address, county, tax parcel identifier, total acreage, current use, ownership, road frontage, and known easements.

Describe slope, clearing, ponds, wetlands, flood areas, drainage, soils, neighboring uses, and any conservation or agricultural restrictions known to the owner.

Clarify whether the owner is considering a lease, sale, joint development, off-grid community, or simply wants an initial feasibility conversation.

Estimate proximity to distribution lines, transmission lines, substations, roads, water, sewer, broadband, and other infrastructure relevant to the proposed use.

Physical proximity does not establish interconnection availability, capacity, cost, schedule, or project feasibility.

Utility, engineering, environmental, zoning, title, legal, and economic specialists may be required before any site can be treated as developable.

Review the current zoning, comprehensive plan, future land-use designation, setbacks, permits, conditional-use requirements, and public-review process with the applicable locality.

Identify environmental studies, stormwater, erosion, cultural resources, wetlands, endangered species, viewshed, decommissioning, and community engagement questions that may apply.

An initial desktop assessment is a screening step—not a commitment by DFREL, a utility, a developer, a locality, or a purchaser.

Gather a deed or ownership record, parcel map, survey if available, zoning information, photographs, known leases or easements, and the owner's preferred outcome.

Use DFREL's land-evaluation form to provide consistent screening information.

If the parcel shows potential, the next step may be a site visit and a discussion of additional studies, specialists, project pathways, and decision points.