Quick answer
Adair County, Ralls County and Lincoln County have the most utility-scale solar capacity in Missouri, with 250 MW (AC), 200 MW (AC) and 150 MW (AC).[1]
Utility-scale solar plants in Missouri came online between 2014 and 2025.[1]
The table lists the six counties with at least 20 MW (AC) in total, each with its own page.[1] Counties with less than 20 MW (AC) in total: Boone County (10 MW), Howell County (8 MW), Christian County (7.9 MW), Montgomery County (5.7 MW), Greene County (4.9 MW), St. Charles County (4.5 MW), Bates County (2.8 MW), Grundy County (2.8 MW), Macon County (2.8 MW), Phelps County (2.8 MW) and Pulaski County (2.8 MW).[1] Also with less than 20 MW (AC) in total: Saline County (2.8 MW), City of St. Louis (2.6 MW), Cedar County (2.5 MW), Laclede County (2.5 MW), Lafayette County (2.5 MW), Livingston County (2.5 MW), St. Francois County (2.5 MW), Jasper County (2.3 MW) and Cape Girardeau County (1.2 MW).[1]
| County | Plants | Capacity (MW AC) | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adair County | 1 | 250 | 2025 |
| Ralls County | 1 | 200 | 2024 |
| Lincoln County | 1 | 150 | 2025 |
| Warren County | 1 | 139 | 2024 |
| Audrain County | 2 | 80 | 2024–2025 |
| Jackson County | 4 | 20 | 2016–2021 |
Source: U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (USGS, LBNL), version 4.0, released April 14, 2026. Data compiled November 1, 2026.
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.[2] 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.[3] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[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.[3] The land can be converted back to agricultural uses at the end of the installation's operational life.[2]
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.
Missouri has 31 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 915.4 MW (AC) of capacity across 26 counties, according to the U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (version 4.0, released April 14, 2026).[1]
By recorded capacity, the leading counties are Adair County (250 MW AC), Ralls County (200 MW AC), Lincoln County (150 MW AC), Warren County (139 MW AC) and Audrain County (80 MW AC).[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.
Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties
[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] Farmer's Guide to Going Solar — U.S. Department of Energy (accessed November 1, 2026)
[3] Farmland Owner's Guide to Solar Leasing — Ohio State University Extension and the National Agricultural Law Center (accessed November 1, 2026)
[4] Solar Lease Considerations for Landowners — Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (accessed November 1, 2026)
Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties.
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