Leasing land for solar in Devon.
Devon has some of the South West's best land for solar, and some of its most protected. Here's what matters locally, from a team based in Exeter.
What matters for solar in Devon.
Landscape comes first
Two national parks and five National Landscapes cover much of Devon. Sites outside them, screened by hedges and woodland, are far easier to consent.
Local landscape guidance
Devon's councils use shared advice on fitting solar into the county's landscape (Advice Note 2, updated in 2024). Good designs follow it from day one.
Grid capacity varies a lot
Some parts of Devon have room on the network and some are tight. Where your land sits on the grid matters more than its size.
Councils are changing
Devon is due to move to four new unitary councils from April 2028. Until then, your district council decides most solar farms.
Who decides in Devon.
Most solar farms in Devon are decided by the district or unitary council where the land sits, or by the national park authority. Solar farms up to 100MW are decided by the local planning authority. Larger schemes go through the national planning process, after the threshold rose from 50MW on 31 December 2025.
Planning authorities
- East Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon, North Devon, South Hams, Teignbridge, Torridge and West Devon district councils
- Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council
- Dartmoor and Exmoor National Park Authorities
Protected landscapes
- Dartmoor National Park
- Exmoor National Park (shared with Somerset)
- Blackdown Hills, East Devon, North Devon Coast, South Devon and Tamar Valley National Landscapes
Devon County Council does not decide solar farm applications.
Grid access in Devon.
All of Devon is served by National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED). Capacity is uneven: in summer 2026 one of the county's largest solar farms was temporarily switched off during works at a North Devon substation.
Grid connections reform has reshaped the queue. In December 2025, NGED confirmed reformed queue positions across its areas, with around 9.8GW of solar still in the queue. Projects with land secured and planning moving now get priority.
That is why we check the grid first, for free, before you sign anything. How grid reform affects landowners →
A steady rent, at no cost to you.
Every site is different. We give you a clear figure once we know your land. How solar rents work →
Rent
Solar rents are often around £1,000 per acre a year, linked to inflation, for the life of the lease.
Lease length
Most new solar leases run for around 30 to 40 years. At the end, the land is restored.
No cost to you
The project pays for surveys, grid and planning, and we cover your reasonable legal fees.
Keep farming
Sheep can graze between the panels, and the land can be managed for wildlife.
Solar in Devon: questions
Who decides a solar farm planning application in Devon?
Usually the district or unitary council where the land is, such as Mid Devon, Torridge or East Devon, or the Dartmoor or Exmoor National Park Authority. Schemes over 100MW go through the national process instead.
Can I put a solar farm on land in a National Landscape in Devon?
It is much harder. Planning policy gives these landscapes the highest protection, so most solar farms in Devon are on land outside them. We check your site's designations first.
How much do solar farms pay per acre in Devon?
Solar rents are often around £1,000 per acre a year, linked to inflation, but the figure depends on the grid connection, the site and the market. We give you a clear figure once we know your land.
Does Devon have enough grid capacity for new solar farms?
In some areas, yes; in others, no. It depends on your nearest substation and the queue ahead of it. A free grid check is the quickest way to find out.
Other counties
Sources:Devon County Council: designations · Devon Advice Note 2 · GOV.UK: Devon reorganisation · NGED: queue formation · Solar Power Portal: 100MW threshold. Checked 1 October 2026.
Got land in Devon? Check it for free.
Tell us where it is. We'll check the grid and planning picture and give you an honest answer.