The NativeFlow Way
Our solar development expertise allows us to provide real value to our landowner and IPP partners every step of the way from site origination to financial modeling. The key elements of our solar development platform are:
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TRUSTED PARTNERSHIPS
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GIS SCIENCE
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REVENUE OPTIMIZATION
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LAND REGENERATION
Trusted Partnerships
Community solar development is truly a collaborative effort. Not only does it include the work of engineers, construction companies, lawyers and financial partners, but it is also not surprising to see solar competitors working together on a project. In fact,
NativeFlow has collaborated on more landowner transactions than any other solar development company in the country.*
You could say we know a thing or two about partnerships. What works and what doesn’t, who gets it done and who doesn’t. Since 2015, we’ve sourced the best and most trusted talent in the industry to bring our solar projects to fruition so that we can deliver maximum benefit to landowners, the community, and American farming as a whole.
GIS Science
We use advanced geographic information system (GIS) mapping to identify suitable sites for solar. In fact, we co-created the technology for Site Acquisition and share the distinction of having the most advanced science in the business. Often copied but never duplicated, our GIS technology provides vastly improved precision, predictability and the verification of market intelligence. This includes land characteristics and data coverage for the entire country. To this, we apply due diligence and market knowledge to produce qualified target sites that meet our requirements.
The master’s eye is the best fertilizer.
Pliny The Elder
Revenue Optimization
NativeFlow provides strategic management of pricing, inventory, demand and distribution channels to maximize revenue growth over the long term. Through demand modeling, demand forecasting, pricing optimization, consumer behavior predictions, and other activities, we ensure our projects are developed for the right people at the right time and for the right price.”
Land Regeneration
Restoring our environment to its native flow requires regenerating soil that big farming has stripped of nutritional value. We do what’s best for the land, which is to cover the dirt with pollinator-friendly grasses as required by state law. It’s not only the most valuable method of extracting and collecting harmful carbon emissions but also the delivery through roots to soil for cleansing is 10X the functional capture and cleanse than a rainforest. A guaranteed way to ensure your land recovers and regains nutrient density is letting it sit in shaded grassland. Upon return of the land 25 years down the road, you will have the most nutrient dense soil possible.
How we choose our site locations
Selecting a suitable site is a crucial part of developing a viable community solar project. In selecting a site, the aim is to maximize output and minimize cost. The main constraints that need to be assessed include:
- Solar resource – Global Horizontal Irradiation, annual and inter-annual variation, impact of shading.
- Local climate – flooding, high winds, snow and extreme temperatures.
- Available area – area required for different module technologies, access requirements, pitch angle and minimizing inter-row shading.
- Land use – this wtill impact land cost and environmental sensitivity. The impact of other land users on the site should also be considered.
- Topography – flat or slightly south facing slopes are preferable for projects in the northern hemisphere.
- Geotechnical – including consideration of groundwater, resistivity, load bearing properties, soil pH levels and seismic risk.
- Geopolitical – sensitive military zones should be avoided.
- Accessibility – proximity to existing roads, extent of new roads required.
- Grid connection – cost, timescales, capacity, proximity and availability.
- Module soiling – including local weather, environmental, human and wildlife factors.
- Water availability – a reliable supply is required for module cleaning.
Resources
Top Benefits Of Community Solar
December 5th, 2022
Why Community Solar Is Growing
December 5th, 2022
Why Community Solar Is Growing
December 5th, 2022
Why Community Solar Is Growing
December 5th, 2022
Why Community Solar Is Growing
December 5th, 2022FAQ
What is Community Solar?
Community solar is a type of program that enables subscribers to receive credits for part of the energy output of a local solar panel array. Subscribers include condo and apartment dwellers, renters, and homeowners who can’t, or don’t want to, install solar on their roofs.
How does Solar Development differ by State?
Solar projects vary by state and even by utility. Some states have different size limits, leading to various pricing for subscribers. There can be differing rules on who is allowed to subscribe based on proximity to the source.
Because each state makes its own rules for electricity service, there’s no firm structure but the general principle is always the same: install solar panels in the community and allow people to participate in getting credit for a share of the energy output.
What are the benefits of renewable energy?
In the United States, about 29 percent of global warming emissions come from our electricity sector. Most of those emissions come from fossil fuels like coal and natural gas
Increasing the supply of renewable energy would allow us to replace carbon-intensive energy sources and significantly reduce US global warming emissions.
Renewable energy eliminates air and water pollution from coal and natural gas linked with breathing problems, neurological damage, heart attacks, cancer, premature death, and a host of other serious problems.
In short, renewable energy provides affordable, stable energy prices and improves community health
How does Solar benefit farmers?
Solar leases allow farmers to maintain ownership of their land while allowing maximum flexibility in managing their farming operations. Leases provide a stable, long-term revenue source which can help hedge against crop price fluctuations. During the lease term, farmers can continue to farm the rest of their land outside the solar array.
In addition, solar installations that incorporate native pollinator-friendly ground cover can improve soil quality similar to soil conservation projects, which reduce soil erosion, reduce soil quality degradation, and improve water quality.
Solar is one of the only forms of development that is temporary in nature. At the end of the lease term, all equipment and structures will be removed, and the soil is recharged and ready for agriculture.