Start Here: Developing Projects for Owners

Developers and consultants help owners turn an idea into a built project. Get your role, licensing and agreements right so you get paid and the owner is protected.

1. Define your role

   Development, consulting and contracting are treated differently under licensing laws.

   • Developer, consultant or contractor?
   • Energy development services agreement
   • Solar designer services agreement

2. Protect early-stage deals

   Keep conversations confidential and lock in key terms before investing time.

   • NDA (mutual)
   • NDA & non-circumvention
   • LOI for PPA
   • LOI for solar system purchase

3. Secure the site

   Lease, option or license the land or rooftop the project will use.

   • Site lease option agreement
   • Site lease agreement
   • Solar concession agreement

4. Structure ownership and power sales

   Set up the ownership entity and how the power is sold or shared.

   • SPV operating agreement
   • Multi-tenant solar PPA (short form)
   • Clean energy financing forum

5. Build and hand over

   Contract for engineering and construction, then set up long-term operations.

   • Master EPC agreement
   • O&M agreement
   • Developers & project development forum

These resources are general information and templates, not legal advice. Laws vary by state and project, so have a licensed attorney review your finished documents.