By Drew Viguet
National Agricultural Law Center
U of A System Division of Agriculture

April 16, 2025

Fast facts:

• • 12^th Annual Mid-South features solar leasing session
  • Rose Law Firm’s Seth Hampton and DESRI’s Will Veve will present
  • Registration is available online

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — To install, or not to install, that is the question — and attendees of the 12^th Annual Mid-South Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference will have the chance to hear perspectives on solar lease agreements and solar development from two experts in their respective fields.

While renewable energy efforts such as solar panel installations have increased in recent years, there are many factors for farmers, landowners, and developers to consider before making the decision to work together on a long term project.

At the Mid-South, Seth Hampton, member at Rose Law Firm, and Will Veve, land acquisition and development at DESRI, will discuss both sides of the transaction in the session, “Solar Leases and Development in the Mid-South: Pointers and Pitfalls.”

The conference will be held June 5-6 in Memphis, Tennessee, and is co-hosted by the National Agricultural Law Center, or NALC, and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Foundation, or NASDA Foundation. It also features a livestream option. Registration, agenda and more is available at https://nationalaglawcenter.org/legaleducation/mid-south-2025.

Hampton has years of experience representing farmers, landowners and their lenders in negotiating solar lease and purchase options involving developments throughout the United States.

“Rental rates certainly make solar leases attractive, but there is much for landowners to consider when approached by developers about installing panels and related facilities on their land,” Hampton said. “Provisions concerning rental rates, land included within the leased premises, minimum rental/acreage requirements, crop damages, rights of third parties (such as easement and mineral interest owners, farm tenants and lenders), property tax increases, insurance obligations, early termination rights, decommissioning/restoration obligations and security, and more should all be considered before making a decision.”

Veve will bring insight regarding the developer’s perspective to the presentation, as DESRI develops, owns and operates U.S. renewable energy projects.

“Both developers and landowners have much to consider regarding coming to an agreement for the development of a project,” Veve said. “There is tremendous shared opportunity for both the landowner and developer. Having an open, collaborative process from the beginning is the most important aspect of this relationship to ensure both sides are successful.”

To read the full news release, click here.