Quick answer
The plants came online between 2013 and 2023.[1] Eight of the 30 plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and 22 use fixed-tilt panels.[1]
| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Meadow Farms | 2019 | 16.2 | Fixed tilt |
| TPE King Solar Holdings1, LLC (CSG) | 2020 | 12.7 | Tracking |
| Hope Farm Solar, LLC | 2019 | 10 | Fixed tilt |
| GDIM 1, LLC | 2021 | 9.6 | Tracking |
| GDIM 2, LLC | 2021 | 9.6 | Tracking |
| GDIM 3, LLC | 2021 | 9.6 | Tracking |
| GDIM 4, LLC | 2021 | 9.6 | Tracking |
| Kearsarge Smithfield, LLC | 2023 | 8 | Fixed tilt |
| Pine Hill | 2020 | 5 | Fixed tilt |
| GD Johnson Scituate I, LLC | 2021 | 4.3 | Tracking |
| Town of Burrillville Solar (CSG) | 2020 | 3.3 | Fixed tilt |
| ISM Solar Cranston (CSG) | 2020 | 3.1 | Fixed tilt |
| Forbes Street Solar | 2013 | 3 | Fixed tilt |
| Howard Lane Solar | 2022 | 3 | Fixed tilt |
| WED GW Solar, LLC | 2019 | 3 | Fixed tilt |
| Nautilus Goat Island Solar (CSG), LLC | 2019 | 2.5 | Fixed tilt |
| Smithfield Solar Farm, LLC | 2020 | 2.4 | Tracking |
| CED Foster | 2017 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| Kearsarge East Providence | 2020 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| North Providence | 2018 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| North Smithfield Solar Power 1 | 2018 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| Plainfield Pike | 2019 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| Douglas Pike Solar, LLC | 2023 | 1.8 | Fixed tilt |
| GD Glocester White Oak I, LLC | 2020 | 1.8 | Fixed tilt |
| A Street 2 | 2018 | 1.6 | Fixed tilt |
5 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 2013.[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.
Providence County, Rhode Island has 30 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 135.8 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 largest plants are Gold Meadow Farms (2019, 16.2 MW AC), TPE King Solar Holdings1, LLC (CSG) (2020, 12.7 MW AC), Hope Farm Solar, LLC (2019, 10 MW AC), GDIM 1, LLC (2021, 9.6 MW AC) and GDIM 2, LLC (2021, 9.6 MW AC).[1] The next are GDIM 3, LLC (2021, 9.6 MW AC), GDIM 4, LLC (2021, 9.6 MW AC) and Kearsarge Smithfield, LLC (2023, 8 MW AC), plus 17 more in the table above and five 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, 15 came online in the 2010s and 15 in the 2020s.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2]
Nearby Rhode Island counties with utility-scale solar plants include Kent County (111.8 MW AC), Newport County (37.7 MW AC) and Washington County (125.2 MW AC).[1]
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Rhode Island
Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Providence County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Kent 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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