Quick answer
The plants came online between 2013 and 2024.[1] Five of the 14 plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and nine use fixed-tilt panels.[1]
| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland Solar | 2013 | 20 | Fixed tilt |
| Solar Hagerstown | 2020 | 10 | Tracking |
| Pinesburg Solar, LLC | 2020 | 4.3 | Tracking |
| Bear One | 2023 | 2 | Tracking |
| Big Spring Solar (CSG) | 2024 | 2 | Tracking |
| Hostetter Solar One, LLC | 2020 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| Pittman Solar One, LLC | 2020 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| Rockdale | 2019 | 2 | Tracking |
| Spruce-WCMD-Creek | 2015 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| Spruce-WCMD-Resh I | 2016 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| Spruce-WCMD-Rubble I | 2015 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| Spruce-WCMD-Rubble II | 2015 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| FedEx Hagerstown | 2015 | 1.8 | Fixed tilt |
| CES VMT Solar | 2015 | 1.1 | 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 2013.[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.
Washington County, Maryland has 14 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 55.2 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 Maryland Solar (2013, 20 MW AC), Solar Hagerstown (2020, 10 MW AC), Pinesburg Solar, LLC (2020, 4.3 MW AC), Bear One (2023, 2 MW AC), Big Spring Solar (CSG) (2024, 2 MW AC), Hostetter Solar One, LLC (2020, 2 MW AC) and Pittman Solar One, LLC (2020, 2 MW AC).[1] The next are Rockdale (2019, 2 MW AC), plus six 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, eight came online in the 2010s and six in the 2020s.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2]
Nearby Maryland counties with utility-scale solar plants include Frederick County (60 MW AC), Montgomery County (21.5 MW AC), Howard County (35.4 MW AC), City of Baltimore (29.2 MW AC) and Prince George's County (48.9 MW AC).[1]
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Maryland
Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Frederick County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Montgomery County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Howard County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in City of Baltimore
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Prince George's 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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