Quick answer
The plants came online between 2010 and 2017.[1] One of the nine plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and eight use fixed-tilt panels.[1]
| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creech Solar 2, LLC | 2016 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Fuquay Farm | 2013 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Sunfish Farm | 2015 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| Wakefield Solar | 2017 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| CBC Solar Energy Gen Fac Phase 2 | 2013 | 2.5 | Fixed tilt |
| SAS Solar Farm | 2010 | 2 | Tracking |
| Town of Cary | 2012 | 1.5 | Fixed tilt |
| Neuse River Solar Farm | 2011 | 1.1 | Fixed tilt |
| Century Drive Solar Farm | 2014 | 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 2010.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2] The newest came online in 2017.[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.
Wake County, North Carolina has nine utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 28.1 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 Creech Solar 2, LLC (2016, 5 MW AC), Fuquay Farm (2013, 5 MW AC), Sunfish Farm (2015, 5 MW AC), Wakefield Solar (2017, 5 MW AC), CBC Solar Energy Gen Fac Phase 2 (2013, 2.5 MW AC), SAS Solar Farm (2010, 2 MW AC) and Town of Cary (2012, 1.5 MW AC).[1] The next are Neuse River Solar Farm (2011, 1.1 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, nine came online in the 2010s.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2]
Nearby North Carolina counties with utility-scale solar plants include Johnston County (105.8 MW AC), Harnett County (51 MW AC), Franklin County (135.5 MW AC), Chatham County (37.6 MW AC) and Lee County (40.1 MW AC).[1]
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in North Carolina
Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Johnston County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Harnett County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Franklin 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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