Quick answer
The plants came online between 2016 and 2024.[1] 10 of the 17 plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and seven use fixed-tilt panels.[1]
| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Waconia Solar | 2016 | 8.5 | Tracking |
| BentonSun, LLC | 2016 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Nesvold Watertown Solar | 2018 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Lind Solar (CSG) | 2017 | 4.9 | Fixed tilt |
| Carver Gladden (CSG) | 2018 | 3 | Fixed tilt |
| Porter Way Community Solar Garden | 2018 | 3 | Fixed tilt |
| USS Hancock Solar, LLC (CSG) | 2021 | 3 | Tracking |
| Lake Waconia Community Solar Garden | 2018 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
| Lake Waconia IV Community Solar Garden | 2018 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
| New Germany Community Solar Garden | 2018 | 1 | Tracking |
| USS Dressen Family Solar, LLC | 2023 | 1 | Tracking |
| USS DVL Solar (CSG) | 2019 | 1 | Tracking |
| USS Eggo Solar (CSG) | 2019 | 1 | Tracking |
| USS King 2 (CSG) | 2019 | 1 | Tracking |
| USS Lake Patterson Solar (CSG) | 2019 | 1 | Tracking |
| USS Martha Solar (CSG) | 2024 | 1 | Tracking |
| USS Westeros Solar, LLC (CSG) | 2020 | 1 | 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 2016.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2] The newest came online in 2024.[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.
Carver County, Minnesota has 17 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 42.4 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 West Waconia Solar (2016, 8.5 MW AC), BentonSun, LLC (2016, 5 MW AC), Nesvold Watertown Solar (2018, 5 MW AC), Lind Solar (CSG) (2017, 4.9 MW AC), Carver Gladden (CSG) (2018, 3 MW AC) and Porter Way Community Solar Garden (2018, 3 MW AC).[1] The next are USS Hancock Solar, LLC (CSG) (2021, 3 MW AC) and Lake Waconia Community Solar Garden (2018, 1 MW AC), plus nine 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, 13 came online in the 2010s and four in the 2020s.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2]
Nearby Minnesota counties with utility-scale solar plants include McLeod County (25.5 MW AC), Wright County (69.4 MW AC), Le Sueur County (30.2 MW AC), Dakota County (61.2 MW AC) and Rice County (48.5 MW AC).[1]
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Minnesota
Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in McLeod County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Wright County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Le Sueur 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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