# Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Fayette County, Illinois

> Fayette County, Illinois: two utility-scale solar plants, 100.8 MW (AC). Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties.

- URL: https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/fayette
- Last updated: 2026-11-01
- Publisher: Buckhead Energy (https://www.buckheadenergy.com/)
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Breadcrumb: [Home](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/) › [Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties) › [Illinois](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois) › Fayette County

Quick answer

Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties. Fayette County, Illinois has two utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 100.8 MW (AC) of capacity in total, according to the U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (version 4.0, released April 14, 2026).

## Utility-scale solar plants in Fayette County

The plants came online in 2021.^\[1\] Two of the two plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and no use fixed-tilt panels.^\[1\]

| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Dressor Plains Solar, LLC | 2021 | 99 | Tracking |
| Conagra Foods at St. Elmo | 2021 | 1.8 | Tracking |

Source: U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (USGS, LBNL), version 4.0, released April 14, 2026. Data compiled November 1, 2026.

## What the data means for solar lease owners in Fayette County

The oldest utility-scale solar plant in the county came online in 2021.^\[1\] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.^\[2\] Federal guidance for farmers describes solar lease payments as typically structured as a fixed annual or monthly fee per acre, or as a percentage of the energy generated by the solar panels.^\[3\] Rent during the operations period will likely include an inflation adjustment, which may be tied to a measure like the Consumer Price Index or set at a fixed rate.^\[4\]

## What you sell and what you keep

What Buckhead buys depends on the deal, and Buckhead tells the seller up front which interest it is offering to buy — for example, the payments for the rest of the current lease term, a term easement, or a longer-term interest. Solar rent is paid period by period, the operations period may last 20 years or more, and renewals are at the developer's option.^\[4\] The land can be converted back to agricultural uses at the end of the installation's operational life.^\[3\]

Educational information only — not legal, tax, or investment advice. The figures are public reference data, not a valuation or appraisal of any interest. Consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or landman about your specific situation.

## Frequently asked questions

### How many utility-scale solar plants are in Fayette County, Illinois?

Fayette County, Illinois has two utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 100.8 MW (AC) of capacity in total, according to the U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (version 4.0, released April 14, 2026).^\[1\] Utility-scale power plants have at least one megawatt of electricity generation capacity.^\[5\]

### Which solar plants operate in Fayette County?

The plants are Dressor Plains Solar, LLC (2021, 99 MW AC) and Conagra Foods at St. Elmo (2021, 1.8 MW AC).^\[1\]

### Can I sell solar lease payments or royalties in Fayette County?

Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties. What Buckhead buys depends on the deal, and Buckhead tells the seller up front which interest it is offering to buy — for example, the payments for the rest of the current lease term, a term easement, or a longer-term interest.

### When did solar plants in Fayette County come online?

Of the plants with a recorded year, two came online in the 2020s.^\[1\] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.^\[2\]

### Which nearby Illinois counties also have utility-scale solar plants?

Nearby Illinois counties with utility-scale solar plants include Montgomery County (44.2 MW AC), Clay County (252 MW AC), Coles County (200 MW AC), St. Clair County (20.7 MW AC) and Perry County (149 MW AC).^\[1\]

## Related pages

[Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Illinois](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois)

[Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties)

[Oil and gas mineral rights in Fayette County, Illinois](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/mineral-rights/illinois/fayette-il)

[Mineral rights in Illinois](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/mineral-rights/illinois)

[Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Montgomery County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/montgomery)

[Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Clay County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/clay)

[Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Coles County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/coles)

[Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in St. Clair County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/st-clair)

[Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Perry County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/perry)

## Sources

\[1\] [U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (version 4.0, released April 14, 2026)](https://energy.usgs.gov/uspvdb/) — U.S. Geological Survey and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (accessed November 1, 2026)

\[2\] [Solar Lease Considerations for Landowners](https://mytexas.ag.tamu.edu/publications/solar-lease-considerations-for-landowners/) — Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (accessed November 1, 2026)

\[3\] [Farmer's Guide to Going Solar](https://www.energy.gov/cmei/systems/farmers-guide-going-solar) — U.S. Department of Energy (accessed November 1, 2026)

\[4\] [Farmland Owner's Guide to Solar Leasing](https://nationalaglawcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/assets/articles/hall_solar_Leasing.pdf) — Ohio State University Extension and the National Agricultural Law Center (accessed November 1, 2026)

\[5\] [Solar explained: Where solar is found and used](https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/solar/where-solar-is-found.php) — U.S. Energy Information Administration (accessed November 1, 2026)

## Ready to Sell Your Solar Lease Payments or Royalties?

Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties.

[Get a Free Written Offer](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/sell#inquiry:source=%2Fsolar-lease-royalties%2Fillinois%2Ffayette&county=Fayette+County)

## Frequently Asked Questions

**When did solar plants in Fayette County come online?**
Of the plants with a recorded year, two came online in the 2020s. Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.

## About Buckhead Energy
Buckhead Energy is a direct buyer, not a broker — we purchase mineral and royalty interests with our own capital. Buckhead Energy buys mineral and royalty interests across all 50 states and has completed acquisitions in 33 states. Buckhead Energy has been buying mineral and royalty interests since 2006. Buckhead Energy holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Buckhead provides a free written offer. Buckhead Energy typically provides an offer within 24–48 hours. Closings typically take 30–45 days, subject to title review and clearance. Buckhead Energy's written offers stay open for 14 days.

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