Quick answer
Halifax County, Greensville County and Pittsylvania County have the most utility-scale solar capacity in Virginia, with 526.8 MW (AC), 319.6 MW (AC) and 306.4 MW (AC).[1]
Utility-scale solar plants in Virginia came online between 2011 and 2025.[1]
The table lists the 35 counties and independent cities with at least 20 MW (AC) in total, each with its own page.[1] Counties and independent cities with less than 20 MW (AC) in total: Shenandoah County (18.9 MW), Charlotte County (18.8 MW), City of Virginia Beach (17.6 MW), Appomattox County (15.7 MW), Middlesex County (15 MW), Albemarle County (13.3 MW), Amelia County (10 MW), Clarke County (10 MW) and Fluvanna County (10 MW).[1] Also with less than 20 MW (AC) in total: Augusta County (7.9 MW), Prince Edward County (7 MW), Lancaster County (6.5 MW), Bath County (5 MW), Dinwiddie County (5 MW), Goochland County (5 MW), Amherst County (4.9 MW), Bedford County (3 MW), Wise County (3 MW), Rockbridge County (2.5 MW) and Warren County (2.5 MW).[1] Also with less than 20 MW (AC) in total: City of Norfolk (1.3 MW) and Stafford County (1.3 MW).[1]
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.
Virginia has 122 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 4,707.9 MW (AC) of capacity across 57 counties and independent cities, according to the U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (version 4.0, released April 14, 2026).[1]
By recorded capacity, the leading counties and independent cities are Halifax County (526.8 MW AC), Greensville County (319.6 MW AC), Pittsylvania County (306.4 MW AC), Orange County (302.5 MW AC) and Spotsylvania County (260 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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