Quick answer
The plants came online between 2012 and 2022.[1] One of the 20 plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and 19 use fixed-tilt panels.[1] Four plants have battery storage on site.[1]
| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bradford Solar | 2017 | 5 | Tracking |
| Middleton Solar Park | 2018 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| True North | 2012 | 4.8 | Fixed tilt |
| Hunt Road Solar | 2016 | 4.5 | Fixed tilt |
| DG Haverhill (CSG) | 2017 | 4.2 | Fixed tilt |
| Kearsarge 100 Sohier Rd | 2022 | 3.8 | Fixed tilt |
| BWC Rams Horn Channel, LLC | 2020 | 3.5 | Fixed tilt |
| Kearsarge Amesbury Hybrid | 2019 | 3.3 | Fixed tilt |
| Groveland Solar | 2012 | 3.2 | Fixed tilt |
| Kearsarge Haverhill | 2021 | 2.8 | Fixed tilt |
| Leominster (MA)-South Street-R&D | 2013 | 2.6 | Fixed tilt |
| Ayers Village Solar | 2014 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| Bashaw Solar (CSG) 1, LLC | 2017 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| Beverly | 2014 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| Aegean Drive Solar | 2021 | 1.8 | Fixed tilt |
| Hewlett-Packard (HP) - Andover, MA | 2017 | 1.7 | Fixed tilt |
| General Electric Aircraft Engines | 2017 | 1.5 | Fixed tilt |
| Merrimac Solar | 2013 | 1.5 | Fixed tilt |
| 515 Main Saugus | 2017 | 1.3 | Fixed tilt |
| Methuen Landfill | 2013 | 1.3 | 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 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]
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.
Essex County, Massachusetts has 20 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 57.8 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 Bradford Solar (2017, 5 MW AC), Middleton Solar Park (2018, 5 MW AC), True North (2012, 4.8 MW AC), Hunt Road Solar (2016, 4.5 MW AC), DG Haverhill (CSG) (2017, 4.2 MW AC), Kearsarge 100 Sohier Rd (2022, 3.8 MW AC) and BWC Rams Horn Channel, LLC (2020, 3.5 MW AC).[1] The next are Kearsarge Amesbury Hybrid (2019, 3.3 MW AC), plus 12 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, 16 came online in the 2010s and four in the 2020s.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2]
Nearby Massachusetts counties with utility-scale solar plants include Middlesex County (101.5 MW AC), Norfolk County (65.7 MW AC), Worcester County (445.2 MW AC), Plymouth County (181.2 MW AC) and Bristol County (134.2 MW AC).[1]
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Massachusetts
Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Essex County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Middlesex County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Norfolk County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Worcester 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.
Get a Free Written Offer