Find Parcels Close to Substations

One of the fastest ways to lower interconnection costs is to build near a substation.

If you’re developing solar or wind projects, or even scouting land for storage or industrial use, distance to the nearest substation can make or break the economics. That’s why smart teams start every project with one question: how close is the grid?

With Atlas, you can find parcels near substations in minutes. You don’t need to download shapefiles or switch between GIS tools. Everything happens in one map, directly in your browser.

Here’s how to do it step by step.

Why Substation Proximity Matters

Substations are connection points. The closer your project is to one, the less you spend on building lines, negotiating easements, and dealing with delays.

So checking this early isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.

Step 1: Add Substation Data to Your Map

Atlas supports multiple ways to get substation data:

• Use the OpenStreetMap integration to load mapped substations (free and global)
• Upload your own dataset as a CSV, shapefile, or GeoJSON
• Draw substations manually if you only need a few points

Once added, substations will appear as point features on your map. You can label them by name, voltage, or code if that info is available.

Step 2: Add or Import Parcels

Next, load the parcels you want to evaluate.

You can:

• Import land data as a CSV or shapefile
• Draw custom polygons for specific zones
• Add a search area to limit your view

This gives you a clear visual of land locations and nearby substations.

Step 3: Create a Buffer Around the Substations

Now it’s time to define what “close” means.

1. Go to the Buffer tool
2. Select the Substation layer as your input
3. Set the buffer distance — for example, 1km or 2km
4. Run the tool

Atlas will create a new layer showing circles around each substation. This is your proximity zone.

Also read: How to Buffer a Site by 500m

Step 4: Filter Parcels Inside the Buffer

To find which parcels are close enough, use the Intersect tool or spatial filter.

• Select the parcel layer
• Run an intersect with the buffer layer
• The result: a shortlist of parcels within your chosen distance

This step cuts down your options from hundreds to the few that actually make sense.

Step 5: Share or Export Results

Now that you’ve narrowed it down:

• Export your filtered parcels as a GeoJSON or CSV
• Download a clean map for reports or meetings
• Share a live map via link for partners or internal teams

Everyone sees the same thing—no file transfers or GIS licenses needed.

Use Cases

Finding land near substations is useful for:

• Solar developers trying to fast-track grid applications
• Wind or storage teams screening land for long-term use
• Consultants doing early-stage technical due diligence
• Investors checking for infrastructure value in land assets

It’s one of the first filters worth applying.

Tips

• Combine with slope, flood, or zoning layers to rule out bad parcels
• Check line voltage if your data includes it (not all substations are equal)
• Add labels or comments to highlight promising parcels

The result? A cleaner, more focused map of where you can actually build.

Site Search and Evaluation with Atlas

Like most GIS platforms, Atlas can help you look at maps. But when it comes to site search and evaluation, Atlas goes much further.

It’s built specifically for people who need to spot the right land, fast.

Whether you’re scouting for renewable energy projects, industrial expansions, new retail locations, or land investment opportunities—Atlas gives you the tools to compare parcels, overlay key data, and share results with your team.

This isn’t just about seeing what’s on a map. It’s about making a decision.

Let’s break down how Atlas helps you find and evaluate sites more efficiently.

Bring Your Own Data or Start From What’s Built In

Sometimes you already have a list of parcels. Other times you’re starting from scratch.

Atlas works well in both cases.

Upload a CSV with parcel data, or drop in shapefiles from your GIS team. You can also use drawing tools to sketch out potential sites manually. Each shape becomes a layer you can click, label, and filter.

But if you don’t have data, no problem.

Layer Key Data to Evaluate Site Potential

This is where Atlas stands out.

Instead of flipping between different platforms to compare slope, access, zoning, and flood risk—you just layer it all on the same map.

You can:

• Add flood zone shapefiles
• Import elevation and run Slope Analysis
• Draw buffers around power lines or roads
• Overlay wind speed rasters and compare to parcels
• Tag constraints like wetlands or protected areas

Each layer is styled visually—so you can color, label, and toggle visibility depending on what you need to see.

That means less time guessing, and more time seeing.

Also read: Best Way to Map Flood Risk for Development

Style, Filter, and Compare Sites Fast

Atlas makes it easy to surface the parcels that matter.

Need to find all land within 1km of a substation and outside the flood zone and with a slope under 10%?

No problem.

You can filter by overlap, intersect layers, or use visual styling (like heatmaps or range coloring) to compare sites at a glance. This helps you narrow down dozens or hundreds of parcels into a shortlist—based on your actual criteria.

It’s the kind of analysis that would take hours in traditional GIS tools. In Atlas, it’s built in.

Save Views, Share Maps, and Move Quickly

Once you’ve identified viable sites, you don’t want to waste time copying screenshots into slides.

Just share a live map.

Atlas lets you save views with specific layers turned on, annotate them with labels or comments, and export the results as PDFs, images, or shareable links. Your team sees exactly what you see.

Clients, engineers, or investors can explore the map in real-time—without needing a login or software.

Real Teams Use It This Way Every Day

Atlas is used by solar developers, land acquisition teams, consultants, and manufacturers across industries.

They’re using it to:

• Evaluate wind and solar potential
• Compare parcels for land deals
• Screen out sites with slope, flood, or zoning issues
• Plan for infrastructure access
• Report site findings to partners and clients

In short, if your job involves picking land or comparing locations—Atlas makes it easier.

Smarter Site Search Starts with the Right Tools

You don’t need to be a GIS expert to evaluate land like one.

Atlas takes the tools that used to be hidden behind complicated software and makes them available right in the browser.

So whether you’re screening 10 parcels or 1,000, you can see the data clearly, layer what matters, and share results in minutes—not days.

Flood zones? Check. Slope? Done. Proximity to grid? Covered. Team visibility? One link.

That’s what modern site evaluation looks like in Atlas.

Boost Your Workflow with the Right Tools

Site planning moves fast. Whether you're checking slope, flood zones, proximity to power lines, or wind potential—speed and clarity matter.

Atlas gives you both.

In this article, we covered how to find parcels close to substations, but that’s just one of many things you can do with Atlas.

From overlaying data to running analysis, styling layers, and sharing maps with your team, Atlas makes complex site evaluation tasks simple and visual. All from your browser. No GIS experience needed.

So whether you're screening parcels, comparing risk, or narrowing down locations, Atlas helps you move from "just looking" to "let’s go" faster.

Sign up for free or book a walkthrough today.