March 28, 2026
Battery Storage Land Leases in Illinois: The Complete Guide
Everything Illinois landowners need to know about leasing land for battery energy storage — lease rates, project sizes, which counties qualify, and how the process works.
Illinois landowners in the ComEd service territory can earn $16,000 to $160,000 per year by leasing a small portion of their property for battery energy storage. A typical project needs only half an acre to two acres of land — roughly the footprint of a few shipping containers on a concrete pad.
This guide covers everything you need to know: how much you can earn, how little land you need, which counties qualify, and what the process looks like from start to finish.
How battery storage leases work
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) charge overnight when electricity is cheap and discharge during peak demand hours when prices are highest. Energy developers build and operate these systems, and they pay landowners an annual lease for the right to use a small parcel of land.
Unlike solar farms that require dozens of acres, battery storage is extremely dense. A single acre can support roughly 10 megawatts (MW) of battery capacity. Most projects in the ComEd territory range from 2 to 20 MW, meaning the land requirement is typically 0.2 to 2 acres.
The developer handles everything: permitting, construction, equipment, maintenance, and insurance. Your only role is leasing the land.
How much can you earn?
Developers pay per megawatt of installed capacity, not per acre. Industry lease rates range from $5,000 to $12,000 per MW per year, with a typical mid-range of $8,000/MW/year.
| Project Size | Annual Lease | Land Needed | 25-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 MW | $16,000/yr | ~0.2 acres | ~$500,000 |
| 5 MW | $40,000/yr | ~0.5 acres | ~$1.25M |
| 10 MW | $80,000/yr | ~1 acre | ~$2.5M |
| 20 MW | $160,000/yr | ~2 acres | ~$5M |
Most leases include a 2% annual escalation, so payments increase every year. Over a 25-year lease term, cumulative earnings are significantly higher than the year-one rate multiplied by 25.
To estimate your potential earnings, use the Illinois Battery earnings calculator.
How this compares to farm rent
According to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) 2024 data, average cash rent for cropland in northern Illinois counties ranges from $250 to $310 per acre per year. A battery storage lease on the same land generates 80 to 300 times more income per acre.
And because battery projects use such a small footprint, the rest of your property stays exactly as it is — you continue farming, planting, and using the land normally.
Which counties qualify?
Battery storage projects require proximity to three-phase power lines and substation infrastructure with available capacity. In Illinois, the most viable locations are in the ComEd service territory, which covers the northern third of the state.
The counties with the strongest grid infrastructure for battery storage include:
- Boone County
- Bureau County
- DeKalb County
- Grundy County
- Henry County
- Kankakee County
- Kendall County
- LaSalle County
- Lee County
- Livingston County
- Marshall County
- McLean County
- Ogle County
- Peoria County
- Stephenson County
- Whiteside County
- Winnebago County
- Woodford County
Not every property in these counties will qualify. The key factor is your property's proximity to a substation with available interconnection capacity. Our team evaluates each site individually.
What the process looks like
- Tell us about your property. Fill out a short form with your location and acreage. Takes about two minutes.
- We evaluate your site. We look at proximity to power lines, substations, and available grid capacity.
- Review a lease offer. If your property qualifies, we present lease terms with payment amounts, duration, and escalation schedule.
- Lease begins. Once signed, the developer handles permitting and construction. You start receiving payments.
There is no cost to the landowner at any point. The developer covers all project costs because the revenue from energy markets pays for the project.
What a battery installation looks like
A battery energy storage installation is a small fenced area containing battery modules (which look like shipping containers or large cabinets) on a concrete pad, plus electrical equipment connecting to the local power grid. The installation is typically 50 to 200 feet on each side, depending on the project size.
There is no noise, no emissions, and minimal visual impact. The rest of your property remains completely unaffected — no interference with planting, harvesting, drainage, or equipment access.
What happens when the lease ends?
At the end of the lease term (typically 20-25 years), you can choose to renew under new terms, or the developer removes all equipment and restores the site. The removal obligation is written into the lease agreement.
Who is behind this?
Illinois Battery partners with one of the largest community solar and energy storage developers in the United States. They have hundreds of active energy projects, including many across Illinois, and have been developing clean energy projects in the state for over 10 years.
Illinois passed legislation (the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, or CEJA) that created new incentives for battery energy storage, making these projects economically viable across the state.
Frequently asked questions
How much land do I need for a battery storage lease?
A typical battery storage project needs only 0.2 to 2 acres of land. A 5 MW project uses approximately 0.5 acres — roughly the size of a few shipping containers on a concrete pad with fencing. The rest of your property stays exactly as it is.
How much can I earn from a battery storage lease in Illinois?
Lease payments range from $16,000 to $160,000 per year depending on project size. Developers pay $5,000-$12,000 per MW per year, with a typical mid-range of $8,000/MW/year. Most leases include a 2% annual escalation. Use the Illinois Battery earnings calculator at illinoisbattery.com/earnings-calculator for a personalized estimate.
Which Illinois counties qualify for battery storage leases?
The most viable locations are in the ComEd service territory in northern Illinois. Eligible counties include Boone, Bureau, DeKalb, Grundy, Henry, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, Lee, Livingston, Marshall, McLean, Ogle, Peoria, Stephenson, Whiteside, Winnebago, and Woodford. The key factor is proximity to substations with available interconnection capacity.
Does battery storage affect my farming operations?
No. The installation is contained to a small fenced area — typically 0.2 to 2 acres. It does not interfere with planting, harvesting, drainage, or equipment access on the rest of your land.
Who pays for the battery storage installation?
The developer pays for everything — site preparation, equipment, electrical work, permitting, ongoing maintenance, and insurance. There is no cost to the landowner at any point.