Quick answer
Orangeburg County, Lexington County and Calhoun County have the most utility-scale solar capacity in South Carolina, with 271.2 MW (AC), 207.5 MW (AC) and 172.4 MW (AC).[1]
Utility-scale solar plants in South Carolina came online between 2013 and 2024.[1]
The table lists the 18 counties with at least 20 MW (AC) in total, each with its own page.[1] Counties with less than 20 MW (AC) in total: Dillon County (15 MW), Union County (12.8 MW), Anderson County (11 MW), Marion County (10.9 MW), Marlboro County (10.9 MW), Clarendon County (8 MW), Greenwood County (7.5 MW), Berkeley County (6.5 MW), Bamberg County (6 MW) and Cherokee County (5 MW).[1] Also with less than 20 MW (AC) in total: Greenville County (4 MW), Newberry County (3.5 MW), Lancaster County (3 MW) and Colleton County (2.5 MW).[1]
| County | Plants | Capacity (MW AC) | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orangeburg County | 6 | 271.2 | 2018–2020 |
| Lexington County | 9 | 207.5 | 2017–2020 |
| Calhoun County | 5 | 172.4 | 2017–2024 |
| Beaufort County | 3 | 90.5 | 2018–2020 |
| Jasper County | 3 | 89.4 | 2017–2018 |
| Allendale County | 3 | 88.4 | 2017–2020 |
| Saluda County | 3 | 85.1 | 2016–2022 |
| Chesterfield County | 2 | 77 | 2020–2022 |
| Aiken County | 1 | 74.9 | 2019 |
| Richland County | 1 | 73.6 | 2023 |
| Hampton County | 6 | 69.4 | 2017–2020 |
| Horry County | 2 | 56.6 | 2018–2023 |
| Barnwell County | 5 | 41 | 2017–2019 |
| Spartanburg County | 9 | 37.6 | 2018–2022 |
| Darlington County | 11 | 35.3 | 2016–2024 |
| Florence County | 9 | 25 | 2018–2024 |
| Lee County | 8 | 24 | 2018–2024 |
| Williamsburg County | 2 | 20 | 2019–2024 |
Source: U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (USGS, LBNL), version 4.0, released April 14, 2026. Data compiled November 1, 2026.
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.[2] 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.[3] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[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.[3] The land can be converted back to agricultural uses at the end of the installation's operational life.[2]
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.
South Carolina has 118 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 1,645.5 MW (AC) of capacity across 32 counties, according to the U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (version 4.0, released April 14, 2026).[1]
By recorded capacity, the leading counties are Orangeburg County (271.2 MW AC), Lexington County (207.5 MW AC), Calhoun County (172.4 MW AC), Beaufort County (90.5 MW AC) and Jasper County (89.4 MW AC).[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.
[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] Farmer's Guide to Going Solar — U.S. Department of Energy (accessed November 1, 2026)
[3] Farmland Owner's Guide to Solar Leasing — Ohio State University Extension and the National Agricultural Law Center (accessed November 1, 2026)
[4] Solar Lease Considerations for Landowners — Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (accessed November 1, 2026)
Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties.
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