Quick answer
The plants came online between 2012 and 2023.[1] Five of the 18 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthur 2 Solar | 2023 | 5 | Tracking |
| Arthur Solar, LLC | 2018 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Beckwith Solar | 2022 | 5 | Tracking |
| Cathcart Solar, LLC | 2022 | 5 | Tracking |
| Chadbourn Farm | 2012 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Delco Farm | 2016 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Garrell Solar Farm | 2013 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| McKenzie Farm | 2013 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Mill Pond Solar Farm, LLC | 2017 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Trojan Solar, LLC | 2020 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Acme Solar, LLC | 2021 | 4.9 | Tracking |
| Broadway Solar Center, LLC | 2014 | 4.9 | Fixed tilt |
| Chauncey Farm, LLC | 2014 | 4.9 | Fixed tilt |
| Dessie Solar Center, LLC | 2014 | 4.8 | Fixed tilt |
| Graham Solar Center, LLC | 2014 | 4.8 | Fixed tilt |
| Heedeh Solar | 2018 | 4.5 | Fixed tilt |
| Hubble Solar, LLC | 2023 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| Panda Solar NC 6, LLC | 2019 | 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 2012.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2] The newest came online in 2023.[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.
Columbus County, North Carolina has 18 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 81.8 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 plants are Arthur 2 Solar (2023, 5 MW AC), Arthur Solar, LLC (2018, 5 MW AC), Beckwith Solar (2022, 5 MW AC), Cathcart Solar, LLC (2022, 5 MW AC), Chadbourn Farm (2012, 5 MW AC), Delco Farm (2016, 5 MW AC), Garrell Solar Farm (2013, 5 MW AC) and McKenzie Farm (2013, 5 MW AC), plus 10 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, 12 came online in the 2010s and six in the 2020s.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2]
Nearby North Carolina counties with utility-scale solar plants include Bladen County (331.6 MW AC), Robeson County (215.9 MW AC), Pender County (132.3 MW AC), Cumberland County (131.8 MW AC) and Sampson County (49.4 MW AC).[1]
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in North Carolina
Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Bladen County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Robeson County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Pender 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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