# Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in California > California: 882 utility-scale solar plants in 43 counties, 22,871.5 MW (AC). Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties. - URL: https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/california - Last updated: 2026-11-01 - Publisher: Buckhead Energy (https://www.buckheadenergy.com/) - Format: full-content Markdown twin of the page (same content as the HTML; site navigation and footer removed) Breadcrumb: [Home](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/) › [Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties) › California Quick answer Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties. 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). ## Utility-scale solar plants by county in California 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](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/california/kern) | 138 | 5,692.8 | 2009–2025 | | [Riverside County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/california/riverside) | 62 | 4,355.8 | 2007–2024 | | [Imperial County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/california/imperial) | 36 | 2,106.3 | 2011–2024 | | [Los Angeles County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/california/los-angeles) | 139 | 1,822.2 | 2005–2025 | | [San Bernardino County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/california/san-bernardino) | 81 | 1,777.6 | 1985–2024 | | [Fresno County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/california/fresno) | 67 | 1,610.6 | 2007–2025 | | [Kings County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/california/kings) | 39 | 1,513.8 | 2011–2025 | | [Tulare County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/california/tulare) | 48 | 934.6 | 2009–2025 | | [San Luis Obispo County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/california/san-luis-obispo) | 11 | 853.2 | 2010–2024 | | [Sacramento County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/california/sacramento) | 47 | 401.5 | 2008–2025 | | [Merced County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/california/merced) | 17 | 352.6 | 2009–2025 | | [Stanislaus County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/california/stanislaus) | 7 | 299.6 | 2009–2024 | | [Monterey County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/california/monterey) | 7 | 291.6 | 2010–2024 | | [San Diego County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/california/san-diego) | 32 | 165.3 | 2008–2024 | | [San Benito County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/california/san-benito) | 5 | 148.4 | 2011–2022 | | [Madera County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/california/madera) | 16 | 120 | 2009–2024 | | [Contra Costa County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/california/contra-costa) | 15 | 81 | 2013–2025 | | [Santa Barbara County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/california/santa-barbara) | 4 | 64 | 2016–2023 | | [Solano County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/california/solano) | 10 | 39.7 | 2007–2025 | | [Orange County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/california/orange) | 9 | 34.8 | 2012–2023 | | [Santa Clara County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/california/santa-clara) | 10 | 33.5 | 2017–2022 | | [San Joaquin County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/california/san-joaquin) | 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. ## How solar leases pay 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.^\[4\] ## Solar leases in California In 2025, Texas accounted for the largest share of total U.S. utility-scale solar electricity generation, followed by California.^\[5\] ## 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.^\[3\] 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. ## Frequently asked questions ### How many utility-scale solar plants are in California? 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).^\[1\] ### Which California counties have the most solar capacity? 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).^\[1\] ### Can I sell solar lease payments or royalties in California? 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 were California's utility-scale solar plants built? Of the plants with a recorded year, one came online in the 1980s, one in the 1990s, 26 in the 2000s, 550 in the 2010s and 304 in the 2020s.^\[1\] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.^\[4\] ## Related pages [Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties) [Mineral rights in California](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/mineral-rights/california) [Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in California](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/wind-royalties/california) ## 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) \[2\] [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) \[3\] [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) \[4\] [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) \[5\] [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%2Fcalifornia) ## 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. **Sell mineral rights:** https://www.buckheadenergy.com/sell **Operator directory:** https://www.buckheadenergy.com/operators