Quick answer
The plants came online between 2016 and 2023.[1] Nine of the 10 plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and one use fixed-tilt panels.[1]
| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Range Solar Center, LLC | 2016 | 10 | Tracking |
| Thunderegg Solar Center, LLC | 2016 | 10 | Tracking |
| Vale Air Solar Center, LLC | 2016 | 10 | Tracking |
| Hyline Solar Center, LLC | 2016 | 9 | Tracking |
| Grove Solar Center, LLC | 2016 | 6 | Tracking |
| Railroad Solar Center, LLC | 2016 | 4.5 | Tracking |
| Morgan Solar Center | 2020 | 3 | Tracking |
| Ontario Solar Center | 2020 | 3 | Tracking |
| Vale Solar Center | 2020 | 3 | Fixed tilt |
| Verde Light Community Solar | 2023 | 3 | 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 2016.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2] The newest came online in 2023.[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.
Malheur County, Oregon has 10 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 61.5 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 Open Range Solar Center, LLC (2016, 10 MW AC), Thunderegg Solar Center, LLC (2016, 10 MW AC), Vale Air Solar Center, LLC (2016, 10 MW AC), Hyline Solar Center, LLC (2016, 9 MW AC) and Grove Solar Center, LLC (2016, 6 MW AC).[1] The next are Railroad Solar Center, LLC (2016, 4.5 MW AC), Morgan Solar Center (2020, 3 MW AC) and Ontario Solar Center (2020, 3 MW AC), plus two 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, six came online in the 2010s and four in the 2020s.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2]
Nearby Oregon counties with utility-scale solar plants include Harney County (39.9 MW AC), Morrow County (50 MW AC), Gilliam County (162 MW AC), Crook County (166 MW AC) and Lake County (121.6 MW AC).[1]
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Oregon
Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Harney County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Morrow County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Gilliam 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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