Quick answer
The plants came online between 2012 and 2025.[1] Six of the 18 plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and 12 use fixed-tilt panels.[1] Four plants have battery storage on site.[1]
| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ho'Ohana Solar 1 | 2025 | 104 | Not recorded |
| Kawailoa Solar | 2019 | 48.8 | Tracking |
| Waipio Solar | 2019 | 45.9 | Tracking |
| Mililani South Solar Farm | 2022 | 39 | Fixed tilt |
| Waiawa Solar Power Hybrid | 2023 | 36 | Tracking |
| EE Waianae Solar Project | 2017 | 27.6 | Tracking |
| West Loch Solar One | 2019 | 20 | Fixed tilt |
| Lanikuhana Solar, LLC | 2019 | 14.7 | Tracking |
| AES West Oahu Solar Hybrid | 2024 | 12.5 | Fixed tilt |
| Waipio Peninsula | 2015 | 10.2 | Fixed tilt |
| Aloha Solar Energy Fund 1 PK1 | 2017 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Kalaeloa Renewable Energy Park | 2014 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Kalaeloa Solar Two | 2012 | 5 | Tracking |
| Waihonu North Solar | 2016 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Mauka FIT One | 2020 | 3.5 | Fixed tilt |
| BYU - Hawaii | 2021 | 3.1 | Fixed tilt |
| Waihonu South Solar | 2016 | 1.5 | Fixed tilt |
| Kapolei Solar Energy Park | 2012 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
| Pearl City Peninsula Solar Park | 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 2025.[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.
Honolulu County, Hawaii has 19 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 388.8 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]
The largest plants are Ho'Ohana Solar 1 (2025, 104 MW AC), Kawailoa Solar (2019, 48.8 MW AC), Waipio Solar (2019, 45.9 MW AC), Mililani South Solar Farm (2022, 39 MW AC), Waiawa Solar Power Hybrid (2023, 36 MW AC) and EE Waianae Solar Project (2017, 27.6 MW AC).[1] The next are West Loch Solar One (2019, 20 MW AC) and Lanikuhana Solar, LLC (2019, 14.7 MW AC), plus 11 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, 13 came online in the 2010s and six in the 2020s.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2]
Nearby Hawaii counties with utility-scale solar plants include Kauai County (77.8 MW AC), Maui County (67 MW AC) and Hawaii County (90 MW AC).[1]
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Hawaii
Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Honolulu County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Kauai 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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