Backed by Illinois energy legislationBattery energy storage is supported by Illinois state energy legislation
Estimate your earnings
See what your land could earn with a battery energy storage lease compared to current farm rental rates.
Enter your property details to see how much you could earn from a battery energy storage lease versus current farm rent.
~0.5 acres of land needed for a 5 MW project
Current avg. farm rent: $300/acre/year (USDA). Battery lease uses ~0.5 acres.
Estimated Annual Lease Income
$40,000
Range: $25,000 – $60,000/year
25-Year Total
$1,281,212
With 2% annual escalation
vs. Farm Rent
267x
vs $150/yr renting 0.5 acres
25-year earnings comparison
+$1,276,976 more with battery storage
Free assessment. No obligation.
How we calculate these estimates
Our estimates are based on publicly available data and standard industry assumptions for battery energy storage projects in Illinois. They are meant to give landowners a realistic range — not a guaranteed offer.
Battery lease economics
Battery storage projects are sized in megawatts (MW), not acres. A battery system is extremely dense — roughly 10 MW fits on a single acre (shipping containers on a concrete pad with fencing). Developers pay landowners per MW of installed capacity. Industry lease rates generally range from $5,000 to $12,000 per MW per year, with our mid-range estimate at $8,000/MW/year. A typical 5 MW project needs only about half an acre of land and could generate $40,000/year in lease income.
Lease escalation
Most battery storage leases include an annual escalation clause — typically 2% per year — to account for inflation. Our lifetime projections compound this escalation over the full lease term. Farm rent comparisons use a 1% annual escalation based on historical USDA trends.
Farm rent comparison
County-level farm rent data comes from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) 2024 survey of average cash rent per acre for cropland. These are county averages — your actual farm rent may be higher or lower depending on soil quality, drainage, and lease terms.
What affects your actual lease rate
The biggest factor in whether your property qualifies — and how much a developer will pay — is its proximity to three-phase power lines and substation infrastructure. Properties closer to high-capacity grid connections are more valuable because interconnection costs are lower. Other factors include available substation capacity, existing queue depth, and local permitting requirements. Our development partner evaluates each site individually.
Important disclaimers
These estimates are illustrative and do not constitute an offer or guarantee. Actual lease terms depend on a site-specific evaluation by our development partner. Not all properties will qualify for a battery storage lease. Lease rates, terms, and escalation schedules are subject to negotiation and market conditions. We recommend consulting with a legal or financial advisor before signing any lease agreement.