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Distributed Energy Resources (DER)

Interested in Leasing or Selling Your Land for Solar or Distributed Energy Resources (DER)?

If you’re considering leasing or selling your land for a solar project, here’s what you need to know.

For Members:

What Four County EMC Does (and Doesn’t) Do

  • Four County EMC does not develop solar farms or buy electricity from them directly.

  • Energy from commercial solar farms in our territory is purchased by our wholesale power provider, NCEMC.
    Learn more: NCEMC Renewables

  • We do not transport (wheel) power across our system. Power generated here must stay in our territory.

Key Facts About Solar Interconnections

  • The process takes time. Even in the best-case scenario, it can take years before a solar farm starts producing energy.

  • It’s expensive. Interconnecting to the grid can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

  • Scale matters. Less than 50 acres? It may not make economic sense to build a solar farm.

  • Location isn’t everything. Being close to a substation or 3-phase line doesn’t guarantee suitability.

  • It’s a long-term commitment. These leases often last 20–30 years. Talk it over with your family before signing anything.

Our Recommendations for Landowners

  1. Talk to multiple developers. Aim for at least two.

  2. Ask smart questions:

    • Are you licensed in North Carolina?

    • Have you developed solar farms here before?

    • Have you worked with Four County EMC or any NC electric co-op?

    • Can I speak with other landowners you’ve worked with, even if the project didn’t go through?

  3. Do your research. Check developers with the Better Business Bureau.

  4. Need feedback on a developer? While we can’t recommend one, we’re happy to share other members experiences with any developer we’ve worked with.

For Developers:

Important Notes

  • Four County EMC is not a solar developer and does not buy solar energy directly.

  • All energy must be sold to NCEMC, not to Four County EMC.
    Learn more: NCEMC Renewables

  • No wheeling: Energy must stay in our distribution area.

  • Proximity isn’t enough: Being near substations or 3-phase lines does not guarantee approval.

  • Impact Study is required for all solar farm applications. Costs usually start at $25,000+ and depend on size and complexity. The study may impact your project’s scale or viability.

Developer Application Process

  1. Download and complete the Application & Interconnection Agreements.

  2. Submit the completed forms with all required documentation to SolarApplication@Fourcty.org

  3. Initial Review: Four County EMC will respond within a reasonable time period with any questions.

  4. Impact Study Process:

    • Conducted by an external engineering firm.

    • Timeline: 8–16 weeks.

    • Developer pays upfront for the study.

    • After payment, we’ll send you a list of everything needed to start the study.

  5. If the solar farm affects the DEP transmission system:

    • Four County EMC will coordinate with NCEMC and the developer for a DEP “Affected System Study.”

    • Developer is responsible for this cost as well.

  6. Results: The Impact Study will outline any issues and the estimated cost of interconnection.