Quick answer
The plants came online between 2017 and 2024.[1] Eight of the 21 plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and 13 use fixed-tilt panels.[1]
| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsfield Solar, LLC | 2017 | 9.9 | Fixed tilt |
| Athens AT01 | 2022 | 5 | Tracking |
| Bates College Skowhegan | 2023 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Dynamic Madison | 2023 | 5 | Tracking |
| Fairfield PV - BD Solar Fairfield, LLC | 2021 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| ME-EDFR-Phase I-Embden | 2023 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Palmyra PV - BD Solar Palmyra, LLC | 2022 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| River Road | 2021 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Dynamic - Norridgewock Martin Stream (CSG) | 2024 | 4.9 | Tracking |
| Harmony Solar | 2023 | 4.9 | Tracking |
| Pittsfield Solar (N. Main St) | 2023 | 4.9 | Fixed tilt |
| Barefoot Solar | 2022 | 4.3 | Fixed tilt |
| IOS-MEW Phase 1 | 2017 | 4.1 | Fixed tilt |
| Dairy Farm | 2024 | 4 | Fixed tilt |
| Hartland Solar | 2021 | 4 | Tracking |
| ME Novel Lighthouse - Front St. Solar CSG | 2023 | 3.2 | Tracking |
| Athens Ridge | 2024 | 2.9 | Fixed tilt |
| BNRG Norridgewock (CSG) | 2024 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| BNRG North Anson (CSG) | 2024 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| Cenergy - Kiger | 2023 | 1 | Tracking |
| Cenergy - Richards (CSG) | 2023 | 1 | 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 2017.[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.
Somerset County, Maine has 21 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 88.1 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 Pittsfield Solar, LLC (2017, 9.9 MW AC), Athens AT01 (2022, 5 MW AC), Bates College Skowhegan (2023, 5 MW AC), Dynamic Madison (2023, 5 MW AC), Fairfield PV - BD Solar Fairfield, LLC (2021, 5 MW AC) and ME-EDFR-Phase I-Embden (2023, 5 MW AC).[1] The next are Palmyra PV - BD Solar Palmyra, LLC (2022, 5 MW AC) and River Road (2021, 5 MW AC), plus 13 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, two came online in the 2010s and 19 in the 2020s.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2]
Nearby Maine counties with utility-scale solar plants include Franklin County (98.4 MW AC), Kennebec County (188 MW AC), Piscataquis County (24.5 MW AC), Penobscot County (54.9 MW AC) and Androscoggin County (60.1 MW AC).[1]
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Maine
Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Somerset County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Franklin County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Kennebec County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Piscataquis 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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