Quick answer
The plants came online between 2017 and 2025.[1] 16 of the 23 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sherco Solar I | 2024 | 222.9 | Tracking |
| Big Lake Holdco Solar (CSG) | 2017 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Big Lake Project (CSG) | 2018 | 5 | Tracking |
| Nautilus Saint Cloud Solar (CSG) | 2019 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Sherburne Community Solar | 2018 | 5 | Tracking |
| Sherburne North Project (CSG) | 2018 | 5 | Tracking |
| Tiller (CSG) | 2018 | 5 | Tracking |
| Hammer (CSG) | 2018 | 4.8 | Tracking |
| Marmas Solar (CSG) | 2018 | 4 | Fixed tilt |
| CF Novel Solar (CSG) Gardens Seven, LLC | 2017 | 3.3 | Fixed tilt |
| Connexus Solar Baldwin 1BDN | 2021 | 3.3 | Tracking |
| Haven Solar Project (CSG) | 2019 | 3 | Fixed tilt |
| Gohman Community Solar (CSG) | 2020 | 1.1 | Fixed tilt |
| E. Goenner Project (CSG) | 2019 | 1 | Tracking |
| FastSun 21 (CSG) | 2021 | 1 | Tracking |
| Hammer Community (CSG) | 2020 | 1 | Tracking |
| Hartmann Project (CSG) | 2019 | 1 | Tracking |
| Hinterland (CSG), LLC | 2020 | 1 | Tracking |
| MN CSG 2019-67 | 2025 | 1 | Not recorded |
| Prawer Project CSG | 2020 | 1 | Not recorded |
| Sobania Community Solar, LLC | 2020 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
| SolarClub 15, LLC | 2020 | 1 | Tracking |
| USS Big Lake 1 Solar (CSG) | 2018 | 1 | Tracking |
| USS Golly Gee Solar LLC | 2023 | 1 | Not recorded |
| USS Haven Solar, LLC (CSG) | 2019 | 1 | Tracking |
1 smaller plants are not listed.
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.
Sherburne County, Minnesota has 26 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 285.4 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 Sherco Solar I (2024, 222.9 MW AC), Big Lake Holdco Solar (CSG) (2017, 5 MW AC), Big Lake Project (CSG) (2018, 5 MW AC), Nautilus Saint Cloud Solar (CSG) (2019, 5 MW AC) and Sherburne Community Solar (2018, 5 MW AC).[1] The next are Sherburne North Project (CSG) (2018, 5 MW AC), Tiller (CSG) (2018, 5 MW AC) and Hammer (CSG) (2018, 4.8 MW AC), plus 17 more in the table above and one smaller ones the table does not list.[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, 15 came online in the 2010s and 11 in the 2020s.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2]
Nearby Minnesota counties with utility-scale solar plants include Benton County (24.8 MW AC), Wright County (69.4 MW AC), Stearns County (89 MW AC), McLeod County (25.5 MW AC) and Carver County (42.4 MW AC).[1]
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Minnesota
Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Benton County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Wright County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Stearns 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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