# Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in McLennan County, Texas

> McLennan County, Texas: three utility-scale solar plants, 265 MW (AC). Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties.

- URL: https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/texas/mclennan
- Last updated: 2026-11-01
- Publisher: Buckhead Energy (https://www.buckheadenergy.com/)
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Quick answer

Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties. McLennan County, Texas has three utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 265 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 McLennan County

The plants came online between 2018 and 2022.^\[1\] Three of the three plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and no use fixed-tilt panels.^\[1\]

| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sun Valley Solar Project | 2022 | 250 | Tracking |
| Eddy II | 2018 | 10 | Tracking |
| Griffin Solar | 2019 | 5 | Tracking |

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 McLennan County

The oldest utility-scale solar plant in the county came online in 2018.^\[1\] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.^\[2\] The newest came online in 2022.^\[1\] 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.^\[4\]

## Solar leases in Texas

Texas's solar power facility agreement law, Utilities Code Chapter 302, applies only to agreements entered into on or after September 1, 2021; an earlier agreement is governed by the law as it existed before that date.^\[6\]

In Texas, a solar power facility agreement entered into on or after September 1, 2021 for a facility that is a generation asset must make the grantee responsible for removing its facilities and must require financial assurance for that removal.^\[6\]

Chapter 302 as amended in 2025 by H.B. 3228 applies only to agreements entered into on or after September 1, 2025; an agreement entered into before that date is governed by the law as it existed immediately before it.^\[7\]

Texas law counts a battery energy storage facility that supports a solar energy device as part of the solar power facility covered by the solar agreement.^\[8\]

Under a 2025 Texas law, a solar power facility agreement entered into on or after September 1, 2025 that authorizes a battery energy storage facility, meaning a battery energy storage resource with a capacity of one megawatt hour or greater as the law defines it, must also make the grantee responsible for recycling or properly disposing of the battery components.^\[9\]

Ground-mounted solar arrays in Texas require an average of 6.9 acres per megawatt of capacity.^\[10\]

In 2025, Texas accounted for the largest share of total U.S. utility-scale solar electricity generation, followed by California.^\[5\]

## 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 McLennan County, Texas?

McLennan County, Texas has three utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 265 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 McLennan County?

The plants are Sun Valley Solar Project (2022, 250 MW AC), Eddy II (2018, 10 MW AC) and Griffin Solar (2019, 5 MW AC).^\[1\]

### Can I sell solar lease payments or royalties in McLennan 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 McLennan 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 Texas counties also have utility-scale solar plants?

Nearby Texas counties with utility-scale solar plants include Falls County (594.1 MW AC), Limestone County (400 MW AC), Bell County (555.4 MW AC), Hill County (207.1 MW AC) and Bosque County (252.3 MW AC).^\[1\]

### What does Texas law say about solar leases?

Texas's solar power facility agreement law, Utilities Code Chapter 302, applies only to agreements entered into on or after September 1, 2021; an earlier agreement is governed by the law as it existed before that date.^\[6\] In Texas, a solar power facility agreement entered into on or after September 1, 2021 for a facility that is a generation asset must make the grantee responsible for removing its facilities and must require financial assurance for that removal.^\[6\]

## Related pages

[Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Texas](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/texas)

[Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties)

[Oil and gas mineral rights in McLennan County, Texas](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/mineral-rights/texas/mclennan)

[Mineral rights in Texas](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/mineral-rights/texas)

[Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in McLennan County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/wind-royalties/texas/mclennan)

[Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Falls County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/texas/falls)

[Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Limestone County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/texas/limestone)

[Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Bell County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/texas/bell)

[Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Hill County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/texas/hill)

[Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Bosque County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/texas/bosque)

## Sources

\[1\] [U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (version 4.0, released April 14, 2026)](https://energy.usgs.gov/uspvdb/) — U.S. Geological Survey and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (accessed November 1, 2026)

\[2\] [Solar Lease Considerations for Landowners](https://mytexas.ag.tamu.edu/publications/solar-lease-considerations-for-landowners/) — Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (accessed November 1, 2026)

\[3\] [Farmer's Guide to Going Solar](https://www.energy.gov/cmei/systems/farmers-guide-going-solar) — U.S. Department of Energy (accessed November 1, 2026)

\[4\] [Farmland Owner's Guide to Solar Leasing](https://nationalaglawcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/assets/articles/hall_solar_Leasing.pdf) — Ohio State University Extension and the National Agricultural Law Center (accessed November 1, 2026)

\[5\] [Solar explained: Where solar is found and used](https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/solar/where-solar-is-found.php) — U.S. Energy Information Administration (accessed November 1, 2026)

\[6\] [S.B. 760 (87th Legislature, 2021), enrolled: solar power facility agreements](https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/87R/billtext/html/SB00760F.HTM) — Texas Legislature (accessed November 3, 2026)

\[7\] [H.B. 3228 (89th Legislature, 2025), enrolled: wind and solar power facility lease provisions](https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/HB03228F.HTM) — Texas Legislature (accessed November 3, 2026)

\[8\] [Texas Utilities Code, Chapter 302: Solar Power Facility Agreements](https://tcss.legis.texas.gov/resources/UT/htm/UT.302.htm) — Texas Legislature (accessed November 1, 2026)

\[9\] [H.B. 3809 (89th Legislature, 2025), enrolled: removal of battery energy storage facilities](https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/HB03809F.htm) — Texas Legislature (accessed November 3, 2026)

\[10\] [Understanding Alternative Energy: Wind and Solar Energy Systems on Texas Rangelands](https://mytexas.ag.tamu.edu/publications/understanding-alternative-energy-wind-and-solar-energy-systems-on-texas-rangelands/) — Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (accessed November 1, 2026)

## Ready to Sell Your Solar Lease Payments or Royalties?

Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties.

[Get a Free Written Offer](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/sell#inquiry:source=%2Fsolar-lease-royalties%2Ftexas%2Fmclennan&county=McLennan+County)

## Frequently Asked Questions

**When did solar plants in McLennan County come online?**
Of the plants with a recorded year, two came online in the 2010s and one in the 2020s. Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.

## About Buckhead Energy
Buckhead Energy is a direct buyer, not a broker — we purchase mineral and royalty interests with our own capital. Buckhead Energy buys mineral and royalty interests across all 50 states and has completed acquisitions in 33 states. Buckhead Energy has been buying mineral and royalty interests since 2006. Buckhead Energy holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Buckhead provides a free written offer. Buckhead Energy typically provides an offer within 24–48 hours. Closings typically take 30–45 days, subject to title review and clearance. Buckhead Energy's written offers stay open for 14 days.

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