Developing solar projects on challenging land

You’ve secured a prime solar site close to the grid with flat, buildable land. But then, you discover the grid connection is at full capacity. Suddenly, the project you thought was a sure thing is on hold — or worse, abandoned — unless you’re prepared to tackle the daunting expense of a major grid upgrade to keep your project alive.

This is the reality of solar development in 2025. The solar boom has brought unprecedented growth, but it’s also introduced fierce competition, congested grids, and a shrinking pool of ideal sites. If you still rely on traditional strategies to scout for land — you’re already falling behind.

Dive into this article as we take a look at the solar industry landscape in 2025, venture into the new frontier — challenging lands, and discover insights from our latest e-book, “Developing Solar Projects on Challenging Land,” a comprehensive blueprint for thriving in the solar industry’s most demanding era.

A snapshot of the solar industry in 2025

WoodMac reports remarkable growth in the global annual installations of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in 2023, surpassing an 80% increase compared to 2022 and reaching an impressive grid-connected installed capacity of 417 GWdc.

However, in Europe, where solar capacity additions grew by over 40% compared to the previous year, the grids are struggling to keep up with this rapid expansion in solar generation. The European Union estimates that an annual grid investment of 600 billion euros is necessary to reach decarbonization targets and support the growth of both large-scale renewable energy and decentralized solar PV resources throughout the decade. Clearly, with growth comes new challenges:

1. Congested grids: Berkeley Lab states that by 2024, over 80% of interconnection requests in the U.S. were stuck in bottlenecks, with wait times exceeding three years in some cases. This issue is expected to worsen in 2025 as more developers compete for limited capacity.
2. Shrinking margins: module prices may have stabilized, but rising costs for labor, permitting, and interconnection studies are eating into profits. Developers can no longer rely solely on traditional high-margin projects.
3. Competitive pressure: the number of solar developers has doubled in the past decade, according to SEIA. With more players entering the field, competition for prime parcels has reached a fever pitch.

In this landscape, innovation is a necessity. But how can we be innovative in such a competitive market? Let’s explore the strategies and tools that make it possible.

Turning “no” into “yes”: solar development on challenging landscapes

For decades, solar developers sought the “perfect” parcels: flat, easily accessible land close to grid infrastructure. But in 2025, such parcels are a rarity. Instead, developers must adapt to a new reality: suboptimal parcels with hilly terrains, flood risks, or limited proximity to infrastructure.

While challenging land presents unique obstacles, it also offers untapped opportunities. Sites often overlooked by competitors can become profitable projects — if approached with the right tools and strategies.

PVcase e-book, “Developing solar projects on challenging land,” explores how developers can reframe their approach to demanding parcels. With the right mindset and technology, sites once considered unworkable can be transformed into profitable solar projects. 

Grid congestion

Challenge: Berkeley Lab-led study shows that “nearly 2,600 gigawatts of energy and storage capacity in transmission grid interconnection queues.” Developers face long delays and high costs to secure grid access.

Solution: early-stage solar development tools like PVcase Prospect streamline site selection by prioritizing locations with available grid capacity. With real-time grid data and locational marginal pricing (LMP) insights, developers can focus on sites that offer feasible and profitable connections.

Topographical challenges

Challenge: developers are increasingly forced to build on hilly, irregular, or flood-prone land. These terrains can complicate construction and increase costs.

Solution: advanced design tools, such as PVcase Ground Mount, simplify the process of designing solar plants on complex terrains. From terrain mesh generation to slope analysis, these tools ensure that no viable land is left untapped.

Data overload

Challenge: identifying suitable parcels requires processing vast amounts of data — from topography and flood risks to grid capacity and energy pricing. Traditional manual methods are time-intensive and prone to errors.

Solution: automation is the key. PVcase Prospect integrates over 300 data layers, including grid capacity, LMP data, and flood risk maps, into a single platform. Developers can evaluate thousands of parcels, enabling a “fail fast” approach to site selection.

A proven workflow for success

The e-book outlines a three-step approach to developing solar on challenging land:

Step 1: Early-stage solar development opportunities with PVcase Prospect

Start by identifying and analyzing overlooked parcels using automated tools. Features like Grid Capacity, Parcel Search, Buildable Area Analysis, Flood RIsk data (and more!) allow developers to uncover the hidden potential in sites your competitors miss.

Step 2: PVcase Prospect data integration into PVcase Ground Mount

Once a site is selected, you can seamlessly transition into the design phase in PVcase Ground Mount. The process ensures data integrity, allowing developers to move from site selection to design in just 20 seconds.

Step 3: Design on complex terrains

Use PVcase Ground Mount’s advanced tools to create optimized layouts, perform civil analyses, and generate detailed designs — even for the most irregular sites.

The future?

As the solar industry matures, the challenges will only grow. Developers who stick to traditional methods risk being left behind. But those who choose tools to innovate — turning challenging land into opportunities — will stay at the forefront of the competition.

Dive into the tools and strategies outlined in the e-book “Developing solar projects on challenging land” that are dedicated to your survival in the industry and about thriving and staying competitive, even amidst challenges.