Quick answer
The plants came online between 2020 and 2025.[1] 11 of the 13 plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and two use fixed-tilt panels.[1]
| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Point Solar, LLC | 2023 | 100 | Tracking |
| Dakota | 2024 | 5 | Tracking |
| 2662 Freeport Solar 1 (CSG) | 2020 | 2 | Tracking |
| Cedarville Road | 2020 | 2 | Tracking |
| Dakota Solar 1, LLC | 2024 | 2 | Tracking |
| Dodds (CSG) | 2021 | 2 | Tracking |
| Gala (CSG) | 2021 | 2 | Tracking |
| IL17021 Brush Creek I CSG | 2021 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| Kent School Road Solar 1 | 2020 | 2 | Tracking |
| N Baker Road | 2025 | 2 | Not recorded |
| N Baker Road 2 | 2025 | 2 | Not recorded |
| Olmstead II (CSG) | 2021 | 2 | Tracking |
| Pretzel CSG | 2021 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| SV CSG Baileyville 1, LLC | 2023 | 1.6 | Tracking |
| SV CSG Baileyville 2, LLC | 2022 | 1.6 | Tracking |
Source: U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (USGS, LBNL), version 4.0, released April 14, 2026. Data compiled November 1, 2026.
The oldest utility-scale solar plant in the county came online in 2020.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2] The newest came online in 2025.[1] 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 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.
Stephenson County, Illinois has 15 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 130.2 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]
The largest plants are High Point Solar, LLC (2023, 100 MW AC), Dakota (2024, 5 MW AC), 2662 Freeport Solar 1 (CSG) (2020, 2 MW AC), Cedarville Road (2020, 2 MW AC), Dakota Solar 1, LLC (2024, 2 MW AC), Dodds (CSG) (2021, 2 MW AC) and Gala (CSG) (2021, 2 MW AC).[1] The next are IL17021 Brush Creek I CSG (2021, 2 MW AC), plus seven more in the table above.[1]
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.
Of the plants with a recorded year, 15 came online in the 2020s.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2]
Nearby Illinois counties with utility-scale solar plants include Whiteside County (30.3 MW AC), DeKalb County (22 MW AC), McHenry County (28.7 MW AC), Bureau County (25 MW AC) and LaSalle County (28 MW AC).[1]
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Illinois
Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Stephenson County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Whiteside County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in DeKalb County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in McHenry County
[1] U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (version 4.0, released April 14, 2026) — U.S. Geological Survey and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (accessed November 1, 2026)
[2] Solar Lease Considerations for Landowners — Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (accessed November 1, 2026)
[3] Farmer's Guide to Going Solar — U.S. Department of Energy (accessed November 1, 2026)
[4] Farmland Owner's Guide to Solar Leasing — Ohio State University Extension and the National Agricultural Law Center (accessed November 1, 2026)
[5] Solar explained: Where solar is found and used — U.S. Energy Information Administration (accessed November 1, 2026)
Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties.
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