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Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Shelby County, Tennessee

Quick answer

Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties. Shelby County, Tennessee has three utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 55.8 MW (AC) of capacity in total, according to the U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (version 4.0, released April 14, 2026).

Utility-scale solar plants in Shelby County

The plants came online between 2016 and 2020.[1] Three of the three plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and no use fixed-tilt panels.[1]

PlantOnlineCapacity (MW AC)Mounting
Millington Solar Farm201853Tracking
SR Innovation-NIKE PV20201.7Tracking
IKEA Memphis 50820161.1Tracking

Source: U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (USGS, LBNL), version 4.0, released April 14, 2026. Data compiled November 1, 2026.

What the data means for solar lease owners in Shelby County

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 2020.[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 you sell and what you keep

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.

Frequently asked questions

How many utility-scale solar plants are in Shelby County, Tennessee?

Shelby County, Tennessee has three utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 55.8 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]

Which solar plants operate in Shelby County?

The plants are Millington Solar Farm (2018, 53 MW AC), SR Innovation-NIKE PV (2020, 1.7 MW AC) and IKEA Memphis 508 (2016, 1.1 MW AC).[1]

Can I sell solar lease payments or royalties in Shelby County?

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.

When did solar plants in Shelby County come online?

Of the plants with a recorded year, two came online in the 2010s and one in the 2020s.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2]

Which nearby Tennessee counties also have utility-scale solar plants?

Nearby Tennessee counties with utility-scale solar plants include Fayette County (33.3 MW AC), Madison County (87 MW AC), McNairy County (55.6 MW AC), Obion County (100 MW AC) and Bedford County (35 MW AC).[1]

Related pages

Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Tennessee

Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties

Mineral rights in Tennessee

Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Fayette County

Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Madison County

Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in McNairy County

Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Obion County

Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Bedford County

Sources

[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)

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