(a) Nothing in this article prohibits a landowner, local agency, or renewable energy corporation authorized to conduct business in this state from seeking financial assistance from eligible state funding sources to defray either of the following costs:

1. (1) The costs of merging parcels, including, but not limited to, escrow costs, on private or public lands pursuant to this article.
2. (2) The costs of establishing or administering a joint powers authority established or authorized to merge parcels on private or public lands, including, but not limited to, all eligible costs, for the purpose of siting renewable energy facilities.