Quick answer
The plants came online between 2012 and 2023.[1] Eight of the 34 plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and 26 use fixed-tilt panels.[1] Two plants have battery storage on site.[1]
| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warsaw Farm | 2015 | 64.8 | Fixed tilt |
| Nickelson Solar, LLC | 2018 | 5.3 | Fixed tilt |
| Albertson Solar, LLC | 2015 | 5 | Tracking |
| Atkinson Farm Solar | 2015 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Brick City Solar | 2021 | 5 | Tracking |
| Buttercup Solar, LLC | 2021 | 5 | Tracking |
| Duplin Solar I, LLC (160 Houston Lane) | 2014 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Eros Solar, LLC | 2020 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Hickory | 2019 | 5 | Tracking |
| Kirkwall Holdings | 2016 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Woodland Church Farm | 2015 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Aspen Solar, LLC | 2015 | 4.9 | Fixed tilt |
| Cedar Solar, LLC | 2015 | 4.9 | Fixed tilt |
| Duplin Solar, LLC | 2013 | 4.9 | Fixed tilt |
| Kennedy Solar, LLC | 2017 | 4.9 | Fixed tilt |
| Lanier Solar | 2016 | 4.9 | Fixed tilt |
| Nickelson Solar 2 | 2018 | 4.9 | Fixed tilt |
| FLS Solar 230 (Warren) | 2015 | 4.8 | Fixed tilt |
| Kenansville Solar Farm, LLC | 2014 | 4.5 | Fixed tilt |
| Belafonte | 2018 | 3.4 | Tracking |
| Faison Solar | 2015 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| Freight Line Solar, LLC | 2020 | 2 | Tracking |
| Hall Solar Energy Storage | 2023 | 2 | Tracking |
| Harvest Beulaville, LLC | 2017 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| Kenansville Solar 2, LLC | 2016 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
9 smaller plants are not listed.
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.
Duplin County, North Carolina has 34 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 184.4 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 Warsaw Farm (2015, 64.8 MW AC), Nickelson Solar, LLC (2018, 5.3 MW AC), Albertson Solar, LLC (2015, 5 MW AC), Atkinson Farm Solar (2015, 5 MW AC) and Brick City Solar (2021, 5 MW AC).[1] The next are Buttercup Solar, LLC (2021, 5 MW AC), Duplin Solar I, LLC (160 Houston Lane) (2014, 5 MW AC) and Eros Solar, LLC (2020, 5 MW AC), plus 17 more in the table above and nine smaller ones the table does not list.[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, 27 came online in the 2010s and seven in the 2020s.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2]
Nearby North Carolina counties with utility-scale solar plants include Pender County (132.3 MW AC), Sampson County (49.4 MW AC), Wayne County (138.6 MW AC), Lenoir County (100.7 MW AC) and Onslow County (41.1 MW AC).[1]
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in North Carolina
Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Pender County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Sampson County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Wayne 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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