Quick answer
The plants came online between 2017 and 2024.[1] Four of the seven plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and three use fixed-tilt panels.[1] Two plants have battery storage on site.[1]
| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owlville Creek Solar 2, LLC | 2020 | 5 | Tracking |
| Owlville Creek Solar, LLC | 2020 | 5 | Tracking |
| TJA-NY-Barrett Rd New Woodstock, LLC | 2024 | 4.7 | Tracking |
| Marathon Solar Farm, LLC South | 2020 | 4.4 | Tracking |
| Lenox Renewables | 2021 | 3.3 | Fixed tilt |
| Marathon Solar Farm II, LLC North | 2020 | 2.9 | Fixed tilt |
| Madison County | 2017 | 1.8 | 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 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]
Some solar leases limit what the landowner may do with the payments: an example lease published by a New York State commission bars the landowner from severing the lease payments or assigning them to a third party without the developer's consent.[6]
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.
Madison County, New York has seven utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 27.1 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 Owlville Creek Solar 2, LLC (2020, 5 MW AC), Owlville Creek Solar, LLC (2020, 5 MW AC), TJA-NY-Barrett Rd New Woodstock, LLC (2024, 4.7 MW AC), Marathon Solar Farm, LLC South (2020, 4.4 MW AC), Lenox Renewables (2021, 3.3 MW AC) and Marathon Solar Farm II, LLC North (2020, 2.9 MW AC).[1] The next are Madison County (2017, 1.8 MW AC).[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, one came online in the 2010s and six in the 2020s.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2]
Nearby New York counties with utility-scale solar plants include Onondaga County (105.2 MW AC), Oneida County (75.2 MW AC), Oswego County (47.4 MW AC), Cortland County (52 MW AC) and Cayuga County (47.2 MW AC).[1]
Some solar leases limit what the landowner may do with the payments: an example lease published by a New York State commission bars the landowner from severing the lease payments or assigning them to a third party without the developer's consent.[6]
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in New York
Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Madison County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Onondaga County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Oneida County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Oswego 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)
[6] Planning for Offsite Solar Energy Projects (Issue Paper Series, example solar lease) — New York State Tug Hill Commission (accessed November 1, 2026)
Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties.
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