Quick answer
Sherburne County, Chisago County and Stearns County have the most utility-scale solar capacity in Minnesota, with 285.4 MW (AC), 184.1 MW (AC) and 89 MW (AC).[1]
Utility-scale solar plants in Minnesota came online between 2013 and 2025.[1]
The table lists the 22 counties with at least 20 MW (AC) in total, each with its own page.[1] Counties with less than 20 MW (AC) in total: Chippewa County (18.1 MW), Winona County (17.8 MW), Isanti County (15.9 MW), Cass County (15.2 MW), Wabasha County (13.6 MW), Steele County (13.4 MW), Pipestone County (13.3 MW), Hennepin County (13.2 MW), Kandiyohi County (12.8 MW) and Nicollet County (12 MW).[1] Also with less than 20 MW (AC) in total: Morrison County (10.8 MW), Scott County (10.1 MW), Redwood County (9.1 MW), Douglas County (8 MW), Murray County (7.7 MW), Sibley County (7.3 MW), St. Louis County (7.2 MW), Yellow Medicine County (7 MW), Clay County (6 MW), Crow Wing County (5.8 MW) and Meeker County (5 MW).[1] Also with less than 20 MW (AC) in total: Freeborn County (3.5 MW), Anoka County (3.4 MW), Pine County (3 MW), Faribault County (1.8 MW), Carlton County (1 MW), Itasca County (1 MW) and Red Lake County (1 MW).[1]
| County | Plants | Capacity (MW AC) | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sherburne County | 26 | 285.4 | 2017–2025 |
| Chisago County | 45 | 184.1 | 2016–2025 |
| Stearns County | 37 | 89 | 2016–2025 |
| Lyon County | 7 | 79 | 2017–2024 |
| Wright County | 22 | 69.4 | 2016–2023 |
| Dakota County | 22 | 61.2 | 2016–2025 |
| Fillmore County | 4 | 52 | 2021–2024 |
| Mower County | 1 | 50 | 2024 |
| Otter Tail County | 1 | 49.9 | 2022 |
| Rice County | 22 | 48.5 | 2016–2021 |
| Goodhue County | 25 | 46.4 | 2016–2021 |
| Washington County | 15 | 42.6 | 2016–2024 |
| Carver County | 17 | 42.4 | 2016–2024 |
| Waseca County | 18 | 33.4 | 2016–2022 |
| Dodge County | 17 | 33.1 | 2016–2025 |
| Blue Earth County | 16 | 32.2 | 2016–2023 |
| Le Sueur County | 13 | 30.2 | 2016–2022 |
| Pope County | 19 | 28.5 | 2017–2023 |
| McLeod County | 15 | 25.5 | 2017–2023 |
| Renville County | 23 | 25 | 2017–2025 |
| Benton County | 15 | 24.8 | 2017–2022 |
| Olmsted County | 7 | 20 | 2017–2023 |
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.
Minnesota has 514 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 1,596.6 MW (AC) of capacity across 50 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 Sherburne County (285.4 MW AC), Chisago County (184.1 MW AC), Stearns County (89 MW AC), Lyon County (79 MW AC) and Wright County (69.4 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.
Get a Free Written Offer