Quick answer
Linn County, Lee County and Louisa County have the most utility-scale solar capacity in Iowa, with 204.5 MW (AC), 150 MW (AC) and 100 MW (AC).[1]
Utility-scale solar plants in Iowa came online between 2016 and 2025.[1]
The table lists the six counties with at least 20 MW (AC) in total, each with its own page.[1] Counties with less than 20 MW (AC) in total: Franklin County (7 MW), Black Hawk County (4.5 MW), Woodbury County (4 MW), Poweshiek County (3.9 MW), Dubuque County (3.4 MW), Story County (3.4 MW), Johnson County (3 MW), Winnebago County (3 MW), Marshall County (2.6 MW) and Lucas County (2.3 MW).[1] Also with less than 20 MW (AC) in total: Muscatine County (1.8 MW), Davis County (1.6 MW), Mitchell County (1.5 MW), Winneshiek County (1.5 MW), Clayton County (1.3 MW), Boone County (1 MW) and Dallas County (1 MW).[1]
| County | Plants | Capacity (MW AC) | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linn County | 3 | 204.5 | 2024 |
| Lee County | 1 | 150 | 2024 |
| Louisa County | 1 | 100 | 2021 |
| Webster County | 1 | 100 | 2022 |
| Union County | 2 | 51.4 | 2024–2025 |
| Adair County | 1 | 25 | 2022 |
Source: U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (USGS, LBNL), version 4.0, released April 14, 2026. Data compiled November 1, 2026.
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 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.
Iowa has 28 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 677.7 MW (AC) of capacity across 23 counties, according to the U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (version 4.0, released April 14, 2026).[1]
By recorded capacity, the leading counties are Linn County (204.5 MW AC), Lee County (150 MW AC), Louisa County (100 MW AC), Webster County (100 MW AC) and Union County (51.4 MW AC).[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.
[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] Farmer's Guide to Going Solar — U.S. Department of Energy (accessed November 1, 2026)
[3] Farmland Owner's Guide to Solar Leasing — Ohio State University Extension and the National Agricultural Law Center (accessed November 1, 2026)
[4] Solar Lease Considerations for Landowners — Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (accessed November 1, 2026)
Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties.
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