# Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Illinois > Illinois: 227 utility-scale solar plants in 57 counties, 3,215.3 MW (AC). Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties. - URL: https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois - Last updated: 2026-11-01 - Publisher: Buckhead Energy (https://www.buckheadenergy.com/) - Format: full-content Markdown twin of the page (same content as the HTML; site navigation and footer removed) Breadcrumb: [Home](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/) › [Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties) › Illinois Quick answer Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties. Illinois has 227 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 3,215.3 MW (AC) of capacity across 57 counties, according to the U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (version 4.0, released April 14, 2026). ## Utility-scale solar plants by county in Illinois Morgan County, White County and Clay County have the most utility-scale solar capacity in Illinois, with 770.8 MW (AC), 299 MW (AC) and 252 MW (AC).^\[1\] Utility-scale solar plants in Illinois came online between 2009 and 2025.^\[1\] The table lists the 27 counties with at least 20 MW (AC) in total, each with its own page.^\[1\] Counties with less than 20 MW (AC) in total: Winnebago County (19.6 MW), Clinton County (14 MW), Kane County (10.3 MW), Knox County (10 MW), Peoria County (10 MW), Williamson County (9.3 MW), Jo Daviess County (9 MW), Livingston County (9 MW), McDonough County (8 MW), Christian County (7.6 MW) and Edgar County (6 MW).^\[1\] Also with less than 20 MW (AC) in total: Ogle County (6 MW), Vermilion County (5.6 MW), Macoupin County (4.7 MW), Boone County (4 MW), Grundy County (4 MW), Madison County (4 MW), McLean County (4 MW), Putnam County (4 MW), Marion County (3 MW), Tazewell County (3 MW), Franklin County (2 MW) and Iroquois County (2 MW).^\[1\] Also with less than 20 MW (AC) in total: Jefferson County (2 MW), Kendall County (2 MW), Richland County (2 MW), Adams County (1.5 MW), Carroll County (1.5 MW), Henderson County (1.4 MW) and Henry County (1 MW).^\[1\] | County | Plants | Capacity (MW AC) | Online | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Morgan County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/morgan) | 7 | 770.8 | 2020–2024 | | [White County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/white) | 2 | 299 | 2022–2024 | | [Clay County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/clay) | 2 | 252 | 2021–2024 | | [Coles County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/coles) | 1 | 200 | 2021 | | [Clark County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/clark) | 1 | 165.3 | 2023 | | [Cass County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/cass) | 1 | 150 | 2024 | | [Saline County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/saline) | 1 | 150 | 2025 | | [Perry County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/perry) | 2 | 149 | 2021–2024 | | [Stephenson County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/stephenson) | 15 | 130.2 | 2020–2025 | | [Jersey County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/jersey) | 1 | 110 | 2024 | | [Fayette County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/fayette) | 2 | 100.8 | 2021 | | [Randolph County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/randolph) | 2 | 70.4 | 2024 | | [Logan County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/logan) | 1 | 70 | 2022 | | [Mason County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/mason) | 1 | 50 | 2025 | | [Montgomery County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/montgomery) | 1 | 44.2 | 2024 | | [Marshall County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/marshall) | 2 | 37 | 2020–2025 | | [Warren County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/warren) | 1 | 35 | 2024 | | [Whiteside County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/whiteside) | 14 | 30.3 | 2020–2025 | | [Will County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/will) | 16 | 29.4 | 2017–2025 | | [McHenry County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/mchenry) | 15 | 28.7 | 2020–2025 | | [LaSalle County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/lasalle) | 5 | 28 | 2012–2023 | | [Cook County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/cook) | 13 | 26.8 | 2009–2025 | | [Champaign County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/champaign) | 8 | 25.1 | 2015–2021 | | [Kankakee County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/kankakee) | 13 | 25.1 | 2020–2025 | | [Bureau County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/bureau) | 2 | 25 | 2020–2025 | | [DeKalb County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/dekalb) | 11 | 22 | 2020–2024 | | [St. Clair County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/illinois/st-clair) | 5 | 20.7 | 2020–2025 | Source: U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (USGS, LBNL), version 4.0, released April 14, 2026. Data compiled November 1, 2026. ## How solar leases pay 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.^\[2\] 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.^\[3\] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.^\[4\] ## 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.^\[3\] The land can be converted back to agricultural uses at the end of the installation's operational life.^\[2\] 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 Illinois? Illinois has 227 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 3,215.3 MW (AC) of capacity across 57 counties, according to the U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (version 4.0, released April 14, 2026).^\[1\] ### Which Illinois counties have the most solar capacity? By recorded capacity, the leading counties are Morgan County (770.8 MW AC), White County (299 MW AC), Clay County (252 MW AC), Coles County (200 MW AC) and Clark County (165.3 MW AC).^\[1\] ### Can I sell solar lease payments or royalties in Illinois? 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 were Illinois's utility-scale solar plants built? Of the plants with a recorded year, one came online in the 2000s, nine in the 2010s and 217 in the 2020s.^\[1\] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.^\[4\] ## Related pages [Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties) [Mineral rights in Illinois](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/mineral-rights/illinois) [Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Illinois](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/wind-royalties/illinois) [Coal Mineral Rights and Royalties in Illinois](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/coal-mineral-rights/illinois) ## 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) \[2\] [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) \[3\] [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) \[4\] [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) ## 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) ## Frequently Asked Questions **When were Illinois's utility-scale solar plants built?** Of the plants with a recorded year, one came online in the 2000s, nine in the 2010s and 217 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. **Sell mineral rights:** https://www.buckheadenergy.com/sell **Operator directory:** https://www.buckheadenergy.com/operators