# Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in City of Chesapeake, Virginia

> City of Chesapeake, Virginia: five utility-scale solar plants, 255 MW (AC). Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties.

- URL: https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/virginia/chesapeake-city
- Last updated: 2026-11-01
- Publisher: Buckhead Energy (https://www.buckheadenergy.com/)
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Breadcrumb: [Home](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/) › [Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties) › [Virginia](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/virginia) › City of Chesapeake

Quick answer

Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties. City of Chesapeake, Virginia has five utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 255 MW (AC) of capacity in total, according to the U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (version 4.0, released April 14, 2026).

## Utility-scale solar plants in City of Chesapeake

The plants came online between 2016 and 2023.^\[1\] Five of the five plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and no use fixed-tilt panels.^\[1\]

| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Chesapeake Solar Project | 2023 | 132 | Tracking |
| Bedford Solar | 2021 | 70 | Tracking |
| Caden Energix Hickory, LLC | 2020 | 32 | Tracking |
| Grassfield Solar | 2023 | 20 | Tracking |
| Western Branch High School | 2016 | 1 | Tracking |

Source: U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (USGS, LBNL), version 4.0, released April 14, 2026. Data compiled November 1, 2026.

## What the data means for solar lease owners in City of Chesapeake

The oldest utility-scale solar plant in the city came online in 2016.^\[1\] 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 you sell and what you keep

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.

## Frequently asked questions

### How many utility-scale solar plants are in City of Chesapeake, Virginia?

City of Chesapeake, Virginia has five utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 255 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.^\[5\]

### Which solar plants operate in City of Chesapeake?

The plants are Chesapeake Solar Project (2023, 132 MW AC), Bedford Solar (2021, 70 MW AC), Caden Energix Hickory, LLC (2020, 32 MW AC), Grassfield Solar (2023, 20 MW AC) and Western Branch High School (2016, 1 MW AC).^\[1\]

### Can I sell solar lease payments or royalties in City of Chesapeake?

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.

### When did solar plants in City of Chesapeake come online?

Of the plants with a recorded year, one came online in the 2010s and four in the 2020s.^\[1\] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.^\[2\]

### Which nearby Virginia counties and independent cities also have utility-scale solar plants?

Nearby Virginia counties and independent cities with utility-scale solar plants include City of Suffolk (53.8 MW AC), Isle of Wight County (195.3 MW AC), Surry County (240.3 MW AC), Northampton County (20 MW AC) and Southampton County (103.6 MW AC).^\[1\]

## Related pages

[Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Virginia](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/virginia)

[Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties)

[Mineral rights in Virginia](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/mineral-rights/virginia)

[Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in City of Suffolk](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/virginia/suffolk-city)

[Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Isle of Wight County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/virginia/isle-of-wight)

[Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Surry County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/virginia/surry)

[Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Northampton County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/virginia/northampton)

[Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Southampton County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/virginia/southampton)

## Sources

\[1\] [U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (version 4.0, released April 14, 2026)](https://energy.usgs.gov/uspvdb/) — U.S. Geological Survey and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (accessed November 1, 2026)

\[2\] [Solar Lease Considerations for Landowners](https://mytexas.ag.tamu.edu/publications/solar-lease-considerations-for-landowners/) — Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (accessed November 1, 2026)

\[3\] [Farmer's Guide to Going Solar](https://www.energy.gov/cmei/systems/farmers-guide-going-solar) — U.S. Department of Energy (accessed November 1, 2026)

\[4\] [Farmland Owner's Guide to Solar Leasing](https://nationalaglawcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/assets/articles/hall_solar_Leasing.pdf) — Ohio State University Extension and the National Agricultural Law Center (accessed November 1, 2026)

\[5\] [Solar explained: Where solar is found and used](https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/solar/where-solar-is-found.php) — U.S. Energy Information Administration (accessed November 1, 2026)

## Ready to Sell Your Solar Lease Payments or Royalties?

Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties.

[Get a Free Written Offer](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/sell#inquiry:source=%2Fsolar-lease-royalties%2Fvirginia%2Fchesapeake-city&county=Chesapeake)

## Frequently Asked Questions

**When did solar plants in City of Chesapeake come online?**
Of the plants with a recorded year, one came online in the 2010s and four in the 2020s. Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.

## About Buckhead Energy
Buckhead Energy is a direct buyer, not a broker — we purchase mineral and royalty interests with our own capital. Buckhead Energy buys mineral and royalty interests across all 50 states and has completed acquisitions in 33 states. Buckhead Energy has been buying mineral and royalty interests since 2006. Buckhead Energy holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Buckhead provides a free written offer. Buckhead Energy typically provides an offer within 24–48 hours. Closings typically take 30–45 days, subject to title review and clearance. Buckhead Energy's written offers stay open for 14 days.

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