Quick answer
The plants came online between 2011 and 2022.[1] Two of the 21 plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and 19 use fixed-tilt panels.[1]
| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Island Solar Farm, LLC | 2011 | 31.5 | Fixed tilt |
| Shoreham Solar Commons | 2018 | 24.9 | Fixed tilt |
| Calverton Solar Energy Center | 2022 | 22.9 | Tracking |
| Riverhead Solar Farm | 2019 | 20 | Tracking |
| Leavenworth Greenworks, LLC | 2016 | 9.5 | Fixed tilt |
| SL Babylon | 2017 | 9 | Fixed tilt |
| Cohalan | 2012 | 4 | Fixed tilt |
| Sutter Greenworks, LLC | 2015 | 4 | Fixed tilt |
| Deer Park | 2012 | 2.5 | Fixed tilt |
| Dennison | 2011 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| Kings Park Solar I | 2019 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| Kings Park Solar II | 2019 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| Lincoln Ave Solar Project | 2018 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| Blydenburgh Solar Project | 2018 | 1.5 | Fixed tilt |
| Riverhead | 2011 | 1.5 | Fixed tilt |
| Calabro Airport North Solar Project | 2019 | 1.3 | Fixed tilt |
| Sterlington Greenworks, LLC | 2015 | 1.3 | Fixed tilt |
| Calabro Airport South Solar Project | 2019 | 1.2 | Fixed tilt |
| Holtsville Solar Project | 2017 | 1.2 | Fixed tilt |
| Brentwood Solar | 2011 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
| North County | 2011 | 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 2011.[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]
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.
Suffolk County, New York has 21 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 146.3 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 Long Island Solar Farm, LLC (2011, 31.5 MW AC), Shoreham Solar Commons (2018, 24.9 MW AC), Calverton Solar Energy Center (2022, 22.9 MW AC), Riverhead Solar Farm (2019, 20 MW AC), Leavenworth Greenworks, LLC (2016, 9.5 MW AC) and SL Babylon (2017, 9 MW AC).[1] The next are Cohalan (2012, 4 MW AC) and Sutter Greenworks, LLC (2015, 4 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, 20 came online in the 2010s and one in the 2020s.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2]
Nearby New York counties with utility-scale solar plants include Dutchess County (41.6 MW AC), Orange County (110.2 MW AC), Ulster County (44.2 MW AC), Columbia County (36.8 MW AC) and Sullivan County (37.8 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
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Dutchess County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Orange County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Ulster 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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