Quick answer
The plants came online between 2013 and 2022.[1] Three of the nine plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and six use fixed-tilt panels.[1]
| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eden Solar, LLC | 2015 | 47.7 | Fixed tilt |
| Pecan PV1 | 2014 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Polk Farm | 2022 | 5 | Tracking |
| Rock Farm | 2013 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Sellers Farm Solar | 2019 | 5 | Tracking |
| County Home Solar, LLC | 2018 | 4.9 | Fixed tilt |
| Rockingham Solar, LLC | 2015 | 4.9 | Fixed tilt |
| ESA Hamlet NC , LLC | 2021 | 4.5 | Tracking |
| Ellerbe | 2013 | 1.5 | 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 2013.[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.
Richmond County, North Carolina has nine utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 83.5 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 Eden Solar, LLC (2015, 47.7 MW AC), Pecan PV1 (2014, 5 MW AC), Polk Farm (2022, 5 MW AC), Rock Farm (2013, 5 MW AC), Sellers Farm Solar (2019, 5 MW AC), County Home Solar, LLC (2018, 4.9 MW AC) and Rockingham Solar, LLC (2015, 4.9 MW AC).[1] The next are ESA Hamlet NC , LLC (2021, 4.5 MW AC), plus one 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, seven came online in the 2010s and two in the 2020s.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2]
Nearby North Carolina counties with utility-scale solar plants include Scotland County (149.2 MW AC), Anson County (110.9 MW AC), Moore County (49.2 MW AC), Montgomery County (124.5 MW AC) and Robeson County (215.9 MW AC).[1]
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in North Carolina
Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Scotland County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Anson County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Moore 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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