EM_FNST Program · Ground Lease
Turn Idle Land Into
Reliable Income
A 1–5 MW front-of-meter battery system installed on your parcel. $0 capital required from you. Long-term lease payments from otherwise idle acreage — while Emergent Microgrid handles everything.
Simple Process
How a Ground Lease Works
Think of it like a cell tower lease — except instead of an antenna, we install a battery system that serves the local utility grid. You own the land; we own and operate the equipment.
Site Assessment
We visit your property, evaluate the parcel, and confirm feasibility with the local utility. No cost or commitment required from you.
Lease Agreement
We negotiate a 15–20 year ground lease with fixed annual payments and escalation clauses. You review with your attorney at your pace.
EM Builds & Operates
Emergent Microgrid handles permitting, interconnection, civil work, installation, and full ongoing operations. $0 from you — ever.
You Collect
Quarterly lease payments starting 12–24 months after signing. Payments escalate over the lease term. Lease transfers if you sell the property.
Site Requirements
What Makes a Good Site?
Front-of-meter batteries need relatively modest parcels near existing utility infrastructure. Most sites in eastern and central MA have potential.
scales with system size (1–5 MW)
EM_FNST · 2026 Cohort
By The Numbers
Front-of-Meter Explained
No Building Connection Required
Unlike behind-the-meter systems, a front-of-meter battery connects directly to utility infrastructure — fully independent of any existing building electrical systems on your property.
Zero Disruption
Your existing tenants, operations, and electrical service are completely unaffected. The battery has its own utility account and meter, separate from any building on the parcel.
Secured Enclosure
The system is fully fenced within a dedicated footprint. Silent in normal operation. Code-compliant fire suppression built in. No visual impact beyond the fence line.
EM Handles Everything
Permitting, interconnection application, civil engineering, installation, 24/7 remote monitoring, and all O&M over the full life of the lease. You simply collect payments.
Common Questions
FAQ
A ground lease lets a developer use a portion of your land for a fixed annual payment — similar to a cell tower lease. You retain full ownership. At lease expiration, equipment is removed or the lease is renegotiated on your terms.
No. The battery system has its own dedicated utility interconnection and meter — completely separate from any building electrical service on your property. Your tenants and daily operations are unaffected.
The ground lease transfers with the property. A new owner steps into the same lease terms, and steady long-term lease income can actually increase the appraised value of your parcel. We work with sellers and their attorneys to ensure a smooth transition.
Typically 12–24 months from lease signing to first payment, covering the interconnection application, permitting, and construction timeline. Some leases include an upfront signing deposit or pre-construction payment — negotiated site by site.
Emergent Microgrid handles all permitting, inspections, and interconnection paperwork. Property taxes on the battery equipment itself are EM's responsibility and are covered separately from your lease payments.
For a 1 MW system, roughly 5,000–7,000 sq ft of usable area is needed. A 5 MW system typically needs 15,000–20,000 sq ft. We evaluate smaller or irregular parcels depending on layout and site conditions — it's worth a conversation.
Check Site Eligibility
Get in Touch
Tell us about your property and we'll let you know whether it qualifies for the EM_FNST ground lease program. No commitment required — just a conversation.
📍 Boston, MA
📞 +2781-406-5000
✉ contact@emergentmicrogrid.com
🕐 Mon–Fri; Saturday