Greenfield, brownfield & open-land solar installations

Ground Mount Solar: What to Gather Before You Sell

Land leases, special use permits, decommissioning bonds and environmental reviews make ground mounts the longest checklist.

Missing something? That's normal.

Legacy projects rarely have complete records. Everything you can find speeds up due diligence, but nothing on this list disqualifies a project. We work with what you have and retrieve the rest ourselves.

Sections: 8 sections
Items: 91 items
Key items: 10 key items

Ground Mount checklist

Grouped by section. Open a section to see each item and why we ask for it.

⚠ Key itemHigh priority — don't skip

STATEState-specific requirement

Project & Site Information

Basic details about your project's location, size, and production history.

Permitting & Regulatory Status

Active permit status is one of our primary acquisition risk areas. Many jurisdictions have abandonment clauses — systems inactive for 12+ months can have their permits revoked. We need to verify all permits are current.

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Operating permit / Permission to Operate (PTO) — current status⚠ Key item
The utility-issued PTO authorizing the system to energize and export power. Confirm it remains active and has no expiration or renewal conditions attached.
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Municipal building permit — final inspection sign-off⚠ Key item
Confirms the system passed AHJ inspection. Should show 'closed' or 'finaled' status — not just 'issued.' An open permit is a red flag.
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Electrical permit — final sign-off
Separate from the building permit in most jurisdictions. Confirm final inspection was completed.
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Special Use Permit or Conditional Use Permit — if applicable⚠ Key itemGround Mount
Required for many projects, particularly ground mounts. Confirm current status, any renewal deadlines, annual compliance conditions attached, and the specific abandonment clause language.
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Zoning variance or Board approval records
If a hearing was required, include meeting minutes, the approval resolution, and any conditions of approval.
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Decommissioning plan and financial surety bond⚠ Key itemGround Mount
Many municipalities require a bonded decommissioning plan as a condition of land use approval. This liability transfers with ownership — we need the bonding amount, bond holder, and renewal date.
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Abandonment clause language from local ordinance or permit⚠ Key item
Most municipalities define abandonment as 12 consecutive months without energy generation. Provide the specific clause language and confirm the project is not at risk of triggering it.
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Environmental permits — wetlands, stormwater, NJDEP, NYSDEC, MA DEP, etc.
Required if construction disturbed wetlands or triggered stormwater management review. Include any ongoing compliance conditions.
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Compliance certificates or periodic inspection reports
Annual or periodic inspections required by permit conditions. Include the most recent report.
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Special Use Permit — full permit file including all conditions⚠ Key item
Ground mounts almost always require a SUP. Include the full permit, all conditions of approval, renewal schedule, and abandonment clause. This is a primary acquisition risk.
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Site Plan approval from municipality
The stamped site plan approval — many jurisdictions require this separately from the SUP.
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Phase I Environmental Site Assessment⚠ Key item
Required for most ground mounts. If a Phase II ESA was triggered, include that as well.
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Wetlands determination or permit — NJDEP, NYSDEC, MA DEP, VT DEC, etc.NJ / NY / MA / VT
If construction was near wetlands, include the determination letter or permit and any ongoing mitigation conditions.
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Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
Required if land disturbance exceeded 1 acre. Confirm ongoing compliance with post-construction stormwater conditions.
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Agricultural conversion documentation — if applicableNJ / MA / NY
If farmland was converted for solar, include state agency approvals and any deed restrictions.
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PILOT agreement or property tax agreement with municipality
Some ground mounts negotiate Payment in Lieu of Taxes agreements. Confirm terms and remaining duration.

Legal & Contracts

Agreements that define ownership, site rights, and ongoing obligations.

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Proof of ownership — title, bill of sale, or purchase agreement
Establishes clean title to the system. If ownership has changed hands, include all prior transfer documents.
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Interconnection agreement with utility
The signed agreement — separate from the PTO. Defines export limits, standby charges, and any upgrade obligations.
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Site lease or license agreement
The agreement granting rights to use the roof, land, or parking structure. We review term length, rent escalators, assignment rights, and default provisions.
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Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) — if applicable
Full PPA with rate, escalator, remaining term, and change-of-control / assignment provisions.
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Net metering agreement and credit history
The specific grandfathered tariff rate. Net metering rates vary significantly by state and vintage — this is a key value driver.
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Community solar / CDG subscriber agreements — if applicableNY
Subscriber list, contract terms, churn rate, and billing administrator contact.
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Easements, rights of way, or access agreements
Any third-party rights affecting the site, including ingress/egress easements.
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O&M service contracts
Current maintenance provider agreement — scope, pricing, and termination provisions.
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Prior sale or assignment agreements
If ownership has changed hands, include all prior transfer documents and any representations or warranties made at prior closings.
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SNDAs (Subordination, Non-Disturbance, and Attornment agreements)
Required if there is a mortgage on the host property. Confirms solar rights survive a foreclosure — often required by lenders.
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Land lease agreement⚠ Key item
Full ground lease with term, rent escalators, assignment rights, and end-of-term provisions.
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Land deed or title report
Confirms land ownership and identifies any encumbrances, easements, or mineral rights.
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Access road easement
If the site requires crossing third-party land, confirm a recorded easement is in place.
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Decommissioning agreement with landowner
Many land leases include specific decommissioning obligations — confirm scope and cost estimate.

Financial Records

Documentation of revenue, incentive enrollment, costs, and encumbrances.

Equipment & Technical

Component specifications, condition, warranties, and monitoring access.

Operations & Maintenance

Records of how the system has been managed and maintained.

Contact Information

Key parties involved with your project.

State-Specific Incentive & Program Documents

Provide what applies to your project's location. State-specific program documentation is often the most time-consuming to locate — start here early.

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NY — NY-Sun incentive agreement and payment scheduleNY
NYSERDA NY-Sun incentive agreement, payment milestones, and any remaining clawback provisions.
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NY — CESIR interconnection study (required for systems >50 kW-AC)NY
Con Ed, National Grid, PSEG-LI, or other utility Coordinated Electric System Interconnection Review. Confirms interconnection capacity and any upgrade obligations.
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NY — Community DG (CDG) program documentation and subscriber listNY
Subscriber agreements, billing administrator contact, and VDER payment records for community distributed generation projects.
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NJ — NJCEP State Certification NumberNJ
NJ BPU-issued certification number required for SREC/SuSI eligibility. Confirms program enrollment and incentive term.
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NJ — SuSI / SREC-II enrollment letter and GATS account credentialsNJ
Successor Solar Incentive program enrollment letter and PJM-GATS account — must be transferred at closing for SRECs to continue accruing.
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NJ — NJBPU PTO and EDC interconnection approvalNJ
NJ BPU Permission to Operate and Electric Distribution Company (EDC) interconnection approval letter.
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MD — MEA SREC registration and GATS accountMD
Maryland Energy Administration SREC registration and account in the PJM-GATS tracking system.
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MD — PSC review documentation — for projects >2 MWMD
Maryland Public Service Commission review documentation required for larger commercial and utility-scale projects.
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MA — SMART Program Statement of Qualification (SOQ)MA
Dept. of Public Utilities-approved SOQ confirming SMART incentive rate, term, and any adder eligibility (brownfield, low-income, canopy, etc.).
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MA — DOER Class I REC registration in NEPOOL-GISMA
MA Dept. of Energy Resources renewable energy registration and NEPOOL Generation Information System account.
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MA — Special Permit under Chapter 40A — for large ground mountsMA
Municipal special permit required for large-scale ground-mounted systems. Include all conditions and any required decommissioning surety bond.
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PA — SREC registration in PJM-GATSPA
Pennsylvania SREC registration and PJM-GATS account for REC tracking and transfer.
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PA — Act 129 / AEPS compliance documentation — if applicablePA
For projects participating in Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard.
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DC — DCSEU or DOEE incentive documentationDC
DC Sustainable Energy Utility or Dept. of Energy and Environment program enrollment and incentive agreement.
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DC — SREC-II registration and accountDC
DC's SREC market requires separate registration. Confirm account status and the process for transfer.
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VT — Certificate of Public Good (CPG)⚠ Key itemVT
Vermont Public Utility Commission Certificate of Public Good — the primary operating authorization for Vermont solar projects. Confirm it is active, current, and has no lapsed conditions.
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VT — Standard Offer or net metering agreementVT
VT Standard Offer contract or net metering tariff agreement with Green Mountain Power or other Vermont utility.

Start with the estimateYou need none of this for the first step: ZIP code, size and year built get you a number in 23 seconds.When documents come inDue diligence is step three of five. See the whole process and what moves the price.

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Not sure what applies to you?

Reach out and we'll tell you which of these actually matter for your project and state.