New York’s solar market is growing fast, 795 percent since 2011, so demand for sites to install large-scale solar electric systems is high. Across New York State, solar developers are contacting farmers and landowners to secure long-term land leases for siting solar arrays. The amount of land desirable for a lease generally ranges from 10 to 30 acres, depending upon the size of the solar array. Before considering such a lease or contract, you should know installing solar panels on farmland may trigger a “conversion penalty” and may increase the taxable value of the overall property. To fully understand the impact of these factors, landowners are urged to consult with an attorney and their municipal assessor before signing any documents.