Quick answer
Utility-scale solar plants in Nebraska came online between 2016 and 2024.[1]
The table lists the one county with at least 20 MW (AC) in total, each with its own page.[1] Counties with less than 20 MW (AC) in total: Hall County (9.9 MW), Madison County (8.5 MW), Dawson County (6.6 MW), Buffalo County (5.8 MW), Lancaster County (5 MW), Washington County (5 MW), Scotts Bluff County (4.4 MW), Dakota County (2.3 MW), Dodge County (2.3 MW), Howard County (1 MW) and Polk County (1 MW).[1] Also with less than 20 MW (AC) in total: Seward County (1 MW) and Thayer County (1 MW).[1]
| County | Plants | Capacity (MW AC) | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saunders County | 1 | 81 | 2024 |
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]
Nebraska provides that no interest in a wind or solar resource on a tract of land may be severed from the surface estate.[5]
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.
Nebraska has 17 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 134.8 MW (AC) of capacity across 14 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 Saunders County (81 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.
Of the plants with a recorded year, six came online in the 2010s and 11 in the 2020s.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[4]
Nebraska provides that no interest in a wind or solar resource on a tract of land may be severed from the surface estate.[5]
[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)
[5] Nebraska Revised Statute 76-3004: Interest in wind or solar resource; restriction on severance — Nebraska Legislature (accessed November 1, 2026)
Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties.
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