Quick answer
The plants came online between 2017 and 2025.[1] 15 of the 20 plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and five use fixed-tilt panels.[1]
| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kramer Solar (CSG) | 2017 | 3 | Fixed tilt |
| Allie L.L.C. | 2022 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
| Buffalo Lake (CSG) 1, LLC | 2021 | 1 | Tracking |
| DSI Don Solar | 2024 | 1 | Tracking |
| Franklin CSG 1 | 2025 | 1 | Not recorded |
| Grimm Community Solar | 2018 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
| Karia Solar, LLC | 2020 | 1 | Tracking |
| Krause (CSG) | 2018 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
| MN Buffalo Lake 212-1, LLC (CSG) | 2023 | 1 | Tracking |
| MN Buffalo Lake 212-2, LLC (CSG) | 2023 | 1 | Tracking |
| MN CSG 2019-22 | 2025 | 1 | Not recorded |
| MN CSG 2019-79 | 2025 | 1 | Not recorded |
| Novel Historical Society Solar (CSG) | 2019 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
| Novel Schroeder Solar, LLC CSG | 2023 | 1 | Tracking |
| Preston Garden (CSG) | 2024 | 1 | Tracking |
| Sacred Heart (CSG) 1, LLC | 2021 | 1 | Tracking |
| Skalbeck Solar | 2022 | 1 | Tracking |
| USS Catfish Solar, LLC | 2023 | 1 | Tracking |
| USS Chariot Solar, LLC | 2021 | 1 | Tracking |
| USS Danube Solar, LLC | 2021 | 1 | Tracking |
| USS Franklin Solar, LLC | 2023 | 1 | Tracking |
| USS Prokosch Solar, LLC | 2022 | 1 | Tracking |
| USS Wonder Solar, LLC | 2023 | 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 2017.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2] The newest came online in 2025.[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.
Renville County, Minnesota has 23 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 25 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 Kramer Solar (CSG) (2017, 3 MW AC), Allie L.L.C. (2022, 1 MW AC), Buffalo Lake (CSG) 1, LLC (2021, 1 MW AC), DSI Don Solar (2024, 1 MW AC), Franklin CSG 1 (2025, 1 MW AC), Grimm Community Solar (2018, 1 MW AC) and Karia Solar, LLC (2020, 1 MW AC).[1] The next are Krause (CSG) (2018, 1 MW AC), plus 15 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, four came online in the 2010s and 19 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), Lyon County (79 MW AC), Carver County (42.4 MW AC), Stearns County (89 MW AC) and Wright County (69.4 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 Lyon County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Carver 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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