Hunting Leases versus Solar Farms

Written by Justin Park| 08/23/2025

A solar lease can net a farmer $1,000 an acre. That is a significant financial windfall for anyone looking for new ways to monetize their land. 

But solar has downsides that might not be apparent off the bat. For this article, we look at the solar option versus leasing land for hunting. We broke down some of the information as well as pros and cons to each option.

Solar Leasing: High Dollar, Heavy Strings

Lucrative solar lease offers are becoming common, and developers are approaching farmers at a record pace. For many, the payments are hard to ignore. A single solar contract can guarantee income above what row crops might yield.

A study by Purdue University in 2024 found more than 20% of farmers in the survey had discussed solar or been contacted by solar companies. There is an aggressive push to add panels to land.

But the trade-offs of solar can be significant.

• Long-term contracts: Solar deals usually lock land into energy production for 20 years or more.
• Idle acreage: Land beneath panels sits fallow (no crops, grazing, or habitat restoration possible).
• No recreation: High fences block wildlife, hunters, and families from using the land.

Location also matters. Solar farms require proximity to substations or high-capacity lines, so only certain parcels qualify. If your land fits, you’ve likely already been contacted. If not, solar may not be an option at all.

Hunting Leases: Modest Pay, More Flexibility

Hunting leases often bring in less income compared to solar. But what they lack in cash, they make up for in flexibility and compatibility with farm operations.

• Seasonal access: Hunters use land during open seasons while farming continues as usual.
• Flexible terms: Agreements may cover a day, a season, or multiple years.
• Habitat improvements: Hunters often add food plots, trails, or projects that benefit wildlife.

HLRBO, a national hunting lease platform, provides landowners with tools to benchmark local lease rates, making it easier to gauge lease income. In many states, leases and letting hunters use your land aren’t just side income but part of common practice and rural culture.

As an aside, the federal REAP program remains funded, offering grants and loans for renewable energy and efficiency projects. Unlike solar leases, these upgrades let farmers modernize without locking up land for decades.

The Bigger Question

The decision between solar and hunting leases often comes down to priorities. Solar brings guaranteed income but fences off the land, removing it from production and recreation for decades. 

Hunting leases pay less but keep the land working; crops grow, wildlife thrives, and access remains.

For farmers balancing income, stewardship, and legacy, the question isn’t just “How much can I make?” It’s also “What kind of landowner do I want to be for the next 20 years?”

AUTHOR BIO: Justin Park is a Colorado-based writer, editor, and avid hunter with a passion for the outdoors. He contributes to leading publications such as GearJunkie, Popular Mechanics, Powder, and Men's Journal, and serves as Editor of Wild Snow. Park is deeply involved in conservation and recreation advocacy, serving as Chapter Chair of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) in Summit County. He also represents RMEF on a state recreation committee focused on proactively addressing land use conflicts.