Quick answer
The plants came online between 2013 and 2025.[1] Six of the 12 plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and six use fixed-tilt panels.[1] Two plants have battery storage on site.[1]
| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| P66 Rodeo Solar | 2023 | 30.2 | Fixed tilt |
| Columbia Solar Energy, LLC | 2015 | 19.2 | Fixed tilt |
| Marin Clean Energy Solar One | 2017 | 10.5 | Tracking |
| Byron Highway Solar | 2021 | 5 | Tracking |
| Bio-Rad | 2020 | 2.4 | Fixed tilt |
| CA Dept of Public Health at Richmond | 2017 | 2.2 | Tracking |
| Central San | 2025 | 1.8 | Not recorded |
| Bishop Ranch - BR 2600 | 2025 | 1.7 | Not recorded |
| Oakley Solar Project | 2013 | 1.5 | Tracking |
| CSD 2-Heritage High | 2013 | 1.3 | Fixed tilt |
| Bishop Ranch - BR 1-Y | 2022 | 1.1 | Tracking |
| CSD 2-Freedom High | 2013 | 1.1 | Fixed tilt |
| Bishop Ranch - BR 8-O | 2025 | 1 | Not recorded |
| Bishop Ranch - BR 8-P | 2024 | 1 | Tracking |
| California PV Energy at ISD WWTP | 2014 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
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 2025.[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]
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.[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.
Contra Costa County, California has 15 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 81 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 P66 Rodeo Solar (2023, 30.2 MW AC), Columbia Solar Energy, LLC (2015, 19.2 MW AC), Marin Clean Energy Solar One (2017, 10.5 MW AC), Byron Highway Solar (2021, 5 MW AC), Bio-Rad (2020, 2.4 MW AC) and CA Dept of Public Health at Richmond (2017, 2.2 MW AC).[1] The next are Central San (2025, 1.8 MW AC) and Bishop Ranch - BR 2600 (2025, 1.7 MW AC), plus seven more in the table above.[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, seven came online in the 2010s and eight in the 2020s.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2]
Nearby California counties with utility-scale solar plants include Solano County (39.7 MW AC), San Joaquin County (25.1 MW AC), Santa Clara County (33.5 MW AC), Sacramento County (401.5 MW AC) and Stanislaus County (299.6 MW AC).[1]
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in California
Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties
Oil and gas mineral rights in Contra Costa County, California
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Contra Costa County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Solano County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in San Joaquin County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Santa Clara 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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