Quick answer
The plants came online between 2016 and 2021.[1] 11 of the 24 plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and 13 use fixed-tilt panels.[1]
| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreman's Hill Community Solar | 2018 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Frontenac Holdco, LLC, (CSG) | 2019 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Red Wing Community Solar | 2016 | 4.9 | Fixed tilt |
| Lady Slipper Solar Array (CSG) | 2019 | 4.5 | Tracking |
| Pine Island Solar | 2016 | 4 | Tracking |
| Pine Island Solar (CSG) | 2017 | 3.9 | Fixed tilt |
| Huneke II (CSG) | 2018 | 1.1 | Fixed tilt |
| Betcher (CSG) 1, LLC | 2020 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
| Betcher Community Solar Garden | 2018 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
| Brenda Luhman-(CSG) | 2020 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
| FastSun 10 (CSG) | 2020 | 1 | Tracking |
| FastSun 11 (CSG) | 2020 | 1 | Tracking |
| FastSun 9 (CSG) | 2020 | 1 | Tracking |
| Goodhue Community Solar One LLC CSG | 2020 | 1 | Not recorded |
| Goodhue Community Solar Three, LLC (CSG) | 2020 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
| Goodhue Community Solar Two, LLC | 2020 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
| Huneke (CSG) 1, LLC | 2020 | 1 | Tracking |
| Huneke (CSG) 2, LLC | 2020 | 1 | Tracking |
| Huneke I (CSG) | 2018 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
| Novel Huneke Solar, LLC (CSG) | 2021 | 1 | Tracking |
| Siems Solar Project (CSG) | 2020 | 1 | Tracking |
| T Luhman (CSG) | 2021 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
| USS Greenhouse Solar, LLC (CSG) | 2020 | 1 | Tracking |
| USS Wildcat Solar, LLC | 2021 | 1 | Tracking |
| Zumbro Community Solar Garden | 2018 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
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 2021.[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.
Goodhue County, Minnesota has 25 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 46.4 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 Foreman's Hill Community Solar (2018, 5 MW AC), Frontenac Holdco, LLC, (CSG) (2019, 5 MW AC), Red Wing Community Solar (2016, 4.9 MW AC), Lady Slipper Solar Array (CSG) (2019, 4.5 MW AC) and Pine Island Solar (2016, 4 MW AC).[1] The next are Pine Island Solar (CSG) (2017, 3.9 MW AC), Huneke II (CSG) (2018, 1.1 MW AC) and Betcher (CSG) 1, LLC (2020, 1 MW AC), plus 17 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, 10 came online in the 2010s and 15 in the 2020s.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2]
Nearby Minnesota counties with utility-scale solar plants include Olmsted County (20 MW AC), Dodge County (33.1 MW AC), Dakota County (61.2 MW AC), Rice County (48.5 MW AC) and Waseca County (33.4 MW AC).[1]
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Minnesota
Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Olmsted County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Dodge County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Dakota 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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