Quick answer
The plants came online between 2008 and 2025.[1] 29 of the 46 plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and 17 use fixed-tilt panels.[1]
| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rancho Seco Solar II, LLC | 2020 | 160 | Fixed tilt |
| SloughHouse Solar, LLC | 2025 | 50 | Not recorded |
| RE McKenzie 1, LLC | 2012 | 30 | Tracking |
| SMUD at Grundman | 2011 | 18 | Fixed tilt |
| Wildflower Solar 1 | 2020 | 13.7 | Tracking |
| Rancho Seco Solar, LLC | 2016 | 10.9 | Tracking |
| SCDA Solar 1 | 2017 | 6.8 | Tracking |
| Intel Folsom Phase 3 | 2016 | 5.2 | Fixed tilt |
| RE Bruceville 1, LLC | 2012 | 5 | Tracking |
| RE Bruceville 2, LLC | 2012 | 5 | Tracking |
| RE Kammerer 1, LLC | 2012 | 5 | Tracking |
| RE Kammerer 2, LLC | 2012 | 5 | Tracking |
| RE Kammerer 3, LLC | 2012 | 5 | Tracking |
| RE McKenzie 2, LLC | 2012 | 5 | Tracking |
| RE McKenzie 3, LLC | 2012 | 5 | Tracking |
| RE McKenzie 4, LLC | 2012 | 5 | Tracking |
| RE McKenzie 5, LLC | 2012 | 5 | Tracking |
| RE McKenzie 6, LLC | 2012 | 5 | Tracking |
| Sacramento Regional County Sanitation PV | 2017 | 3.5 | Tracking |
| Aerojet I | 2009 | 3 | Tracking |
| Depot Park Solar System | 2010 | 3 | Tracking |
| RE Dillard 1, LLC | 2012 | 3 | Tracking |
| RE Dillard 2, LLC | 2012 | 3 | Tracking |
| RE Dillard 3, LLC | 2012 | 3 | Tracking |
| SMUD at Fleshman | 2011 | 2.9 | Fixed tilt |
22 smaller plants are not listed.
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 2008.[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.
Sacramento County, California has 47 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 401.5 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 Rancho Seco Solar II, LLC (2020, 160 MW AC), SloughHouse Solar, LLC (2025, 50 MW AC), RE McKenzie 1, LLC (2012, 30 MW AC), SMUD at Grundman (2011, 18 MW AC) and Wildflower Solar 1 (2020, 13.7 MW AC).[1] The next are Rancho Seco Solar, LLC (2016, 10.9 MW AC), SCDA Solar 1 (2017, 6.8 MW AC) and Intel Folsom Phase 3 (2016, 5.2 MW AC), plus 17 more in the table above and 22 smaller ones the table does not list.[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, two came online in the 2000s, 37 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), Contra Costa County (81 MW AC), Stanislaus County (299.6 MW AC) and Santa Clara County (33.5 MW AC).[1]
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in California
Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties
Oil and gas mineral rights in Sacramento County, California
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Solano County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in San Joaquin County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Contra Costa 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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