Quick answer
The plants came online between 2016 and 2025.[1] 15 of the 36 plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and 21 use fixed-tilt panels.[1]
| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany Solar | 2016 | 10 | Tracking |
| Paynesville Solar | 2016 | 10 | Tracking |
| GSPP Schneider, LLC | 2019 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Held Solar Project | 2019 | 5 | Tracking |
| Lahr 1, LLC | 2018 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Richmond (CSG) | 2017 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| St. Cloud Solar (CSG) | 2018 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Paynesville Community Solar | 2017 | 4.5 | Fixed tilt |
| B.R. Sartell (CSG) | 2017 | 3 | Fixed tilt |
| GSSP Held, LLC (CSG) | 2019 | 3 | Fixed tilt |
| Michael Solar | 2017 | 3 | Fixed tilt |
| Wake Sun, LLC | 2017 | 3 | Fixed tilt |
| Orion Community Solar | 2017 | 2.7 | Fixed tilt |
| Pegasus Community Solar | 2017 | 1.8 | Fixed tilt |
| Allium Community Solar Garden, LLC | 2020 | 1 | Tracking |
| Bellflower Solar, LLC | 2020 | 1 | Tracking |
| Canopus Community Solar | 2019 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
| Capricornus Community Solar Garden | 2019 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
| DSI Julie Solar | 2024 | 1 | Tracking |
| Eikmeier CSG | 2023 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
| FastSun 3 (CSG) | 2019 | 1 | Tracking |
| GSPP Imholte CSG | 2019 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
| Hertzberg Community (CSG) | 2020 | 1 | Tracking |
| MN East Regal, LLC (CSG) | 2024 | 1 | Tracking |
| New Munich Solar | 2019 | 1 | Tracking |
12 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 2016.[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.
Stearns County, Minnesota has 37 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 89 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 Albany Solar (2016, 10 MW AC), Paynesville Solar (2016, 10 MW AC), GSPP Schneider, LLC (2019, 5 MW AC), Held Solar Project (2019, 5 MW AC), Lahr 1, LLC (2018, 5 MW AC) and Richmond (CSG) (2017, 5 MW AC).[1] The next are St. Cloud Solar (CSG) (2018, 5 MW AC) and Paynesville Community Solar (2017, 4.5 MW AC), plus 17 more in the table above and 12 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, 25 came online in the 2010s and 12 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), Sherburne County (285.4 MW AC), Pope County (28.5 MW AC), Wright County (69.4 MW AC) and McLeod County (25.5 MW AC).[1]
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Minnesota
Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Stearns County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Benton County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Sherburne County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Pope 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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