Quick answer
Kern County, Riverside County and Imperial County have the most utility-scale solar capacity in California, with 5,692.8 MW (AC), 4,355.8 MW (AC) and 2,106.3 MW (AC).[1]
Utility-scale solar plants in California came online between 1985 and 2025.[1]
The table lists the 22 counties with at least 20 MW (AC) in total, each with its own page.[1] Counties with less than 20 MW (AC) in total: Ventura County (19.7 MW), Yolo County (16.8 MW), Alameda County (15 MW), Sonoma County (13.7 MW), Lassen County (10 MW), Butte County (8.8 MW), Tehama County (8.4 MW), Napa County (7.5 MW), Inyo County (7 MW), El Dorado County (6.8 MW) and Tuolumne County (5.1 MW).[1] Also with less than 20 MW (AC) in total: San Francisco County (4.5 MW), Santa Cruz County (4.4 MW), San Mateo County (4.2 MW), Marin County (4 MW), Placer County (3 MW), Shasta County (3 MW), Humboldt County (1.8 MW), Glenn County (1.5 MW), Sutter County (1.3 MW) and Amador County (1 MW).[1]
| County | Plants | Capacity (MW AC) | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kern County | 138 | 5,692.8 | 2009–2025 |
| Riverside County | 62 | 4,355.8 | 2007–2024 |
| Imperial County | 36 | 2,106.3 | 2011–2024 |
| Los Angeles County | 139 | 1,822.2 | 2005–2025 |
| San Bernardino County | 81 | 1,777.6 | 1985–2024 |
| Fresno County | 67 | 1,610.6 | 2007–2025 |
| Kings County | 39 | 1,513.8 | 2011–2025 |
| Tulare County | 48 | 934.6 | 2009–2025 |
| San Luis Obispo County | 11 | 853.2 | 2010–2024 |
| Sacramento County | 47 | 401.5 | 2008–2025 |
| Merced County | 17 | 352.6 | 2009–2025 |
| Stanislaus County | 7 | 299.6 | 2009–2024 |
| Monterey County | 7 | 291.6 | 2010–2024 |
| San Diego County | 32 | 165.3 | 2008–2024 |
| San Benito County | 5 | 148.4 | 2011–2022 |
| Madera County | 16 | 120 | 2009–2024 |
| Contra Costa County | 15 | 81 | 2013–2025 |
| Santa Barbara County | 4 | 64 | 2016–2023 |
| Solano County | 10 | 39.7 | 2007–2025 |
| Orange County | 9 | 34.8 | 2012–2023 |
| Santa Clara County | 10 | 33.5 | 2017–2022 |
| San Joaquin County | 13 | 25.1 | 2014–2024 |
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]
In 2025, Texas accounted for the largest share of total U.S. utility-scale solar electricity generation, followed by California.[5]
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.
California has 882 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 22,871.5 MW (AC) of capacity across 43 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 Kern County (5,692.8 MW AC), Riverside County (4,355.8 MW AC), Imperial County (2,106.3 MW AC), Los Angeles County (1,822.2 MW AC) and San Bernardino County (1,777.6 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)
[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.
Get a Free Written Offer