Quick answer
The plants came online between 2012 and 2024.[1] 13 of the 17 plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and four use fixed-tilt panels.[1] Three plants have battery storage on site.[1]
| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullfrog Creek Solar | 2024 | 74.5 | Tracking |
| Lithia Solar | 2019 | 74.5 | Tracking |
| Little Manatee River Solar | 2020 | 74.5 | Tracking |
| Magnolia Solar | 2021 | 74.5 | Tracking |
| Wimauma Solar | 2020 | 74.5 | Tracking |
| Balm Solar | 2018 | 74.4 | Tracking |
| Laurel Oaks Solar | 2022 | 61.2 | Tracking |
| Grange Hall Solar | 2019 | 61.1 | Tracking |
| Riverside Solar | 2023 | 55 | Tracking |
| Big Bend II Solar | 2021 | 45.8 | Tracking |
| Dover Solar | 2023 | 25 | Tracking |
| English Creek Solar | 2024 | 23 | Tracking |
| Big Bend | 2017 | 19 | Tracking |
| TIA Solar | 2015 | 1.6 | Fixed tilt |
| Big Bend Agrivoltaics | 2022 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
| Big Bend Floating Solar I | 2022 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
| IKEA Tampa 042 | 2012 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
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 2012.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2] The newest came online in 2024.[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.
Hillsborough County, Florida has 17 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 741.6 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 Bullfrog Creek Solar (2024, 74.5 MW AC), Lithia Solar (2019, 74.5 MW AC), Little Manatee River Solar (2020, 74.5 MW AC), Magnolia Solar (2021, 74.5 MW AC), Wimauma Solar (2020, 74.5 MW AC), Balm Solar (2018, 74.4 MW AC) and Laurel Oaks Solar (2022, 61.2 MW AC).[1] The next are Grange Hall Solar (2019, 61.1 MW AC), plus nine 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 11 in the 2020s.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2]
Nearby Florida counties with utility-scale solar plants include Manatee County (596 MW AC), Polk County (505.3 MW AC), Hardee County (149.8 MW AC), Pasco County (124.6 MW AC) and DeSoto County (621 MW AC).[1]
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Florida
Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Manatee County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Polk County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Hardee 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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