The New Land Rush.

CNN's Business 2.0 is reporting on the inevitable trickle down effect entrepreneurial green energy ventures are having on the economy. One sector that's getting a huge boost is real estate.

Speculators are locking up rights to land for potential wind farms and rooftops for potential solar arrays.

According to CNN:

"There's literally a land rush on as renewable-energy companies look to secure locations for wind farms and solar arrays. If you move fast, you may be able to buy and flip the rights to the downtown rooftops and rural ridges that renewable-energy developers regard as prime real estate."

The report notes that, for a wind farm, you'll need access to thousands of acres where the annual wind velocity is 17 mph. For solar, investors should identify states that offer generous incentives (California) and then go after places like shopping malls, warehouses and retail chains.

In both cases, the exit strategy appears to be selling the rights outright, hopefully with royalties.

Power play [CNN Money, Business 2.0]