Quick answer
Calhoun County, Branch County and Shiawassee County have the most utility-scale solar capacity in Michigan, with 447 MW (AC), 323.3 MW (AC) and 279 MW (AC).[1]
Utility-scale solar plants in Michigan came online between 2015 and 2025.[1]
The table lists the 15 counties with at least 20 MW (AC) in total, each with its own page.[1] Counties with less than 20 MW (AC) in total: St. Joseph County (15 MW), Oscoda County (10 MW), Chippewa County (6.9 MW), Missaukee County (6 MW), Saginaw County (6 MW), Kent County (5 MW), Berrien County (4.6 MW), Leelanau County (3.8 MW), Ottawa County (3 MW), Wayne County (3 MW) and Delta County (2.5 MW).[1] Also with less than 20 MW (AC) in total: Clare County (2 MW), Hillsdale County (2 MW), Montcalm County (2 MW), St. Clair County (1.9 MW), Kalamazoo County (1 MW) and Washtenaw County (1 MW).[1]
| County | Plants | Capacity (MW AC) | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calhoun County | 5 | 447 | 2020–2025 |
| Branch County | 5 | 323.3 | 2018–2025 |
| Shiawassee County | 5 | 279 | 2020–2023 |
| Gratiot County | 2 | 180 | 2025 |
| Jackson County | 3 | 174 | 2022–2024 |
| Ingham County | 3 | 50.5 | 2017–2024 |
| Lapeer County | 2 | 48.2 | 2017 |
| Eaton County | 2 | 24 | 2018 |
| Genesee County | 6 | 22.5 | 2020–2023 |
| Lenawee County | 2 | 22 | 2021–2023 |
| Allegan County | 1 | 20 | 2020 |
| Clinton County | 1 | 20 | 2020 |
| Gladwin County | 1 | 20 | 2023 |
| Monroe County | 1 | 20 | 2020 |
| Muskegon County | 1 | 20 | 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.
Michigan has 65 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 1,746.2 MW (AC) of capacity across 32 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 Calhoun County (447 MW AC), Branch County (323.3 MW AC), Shiawassee County (279 MW AC), Gratiot County (180 MW AC) and Jackson County (174 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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