Quick answer
The plants came online between 2008 and 2024.[1] 15 of the 32 plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and 17 use fixed-tilt panels.[1] Six plants have battery storage on site.[1]
| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocotillo Wells | 2023 | 50 | Tracking |
| Solar Borrego I | 2013 | 26 | Tracking |
| Jacumba Solar Farm | 2017 | 20 | Fixed tilt |
| Desert Green Solar Farm, LLC | 2014 | 6.3 | Tracking |
| Ramona 2 | 2013 | 5 | Tracking |
| Valley Center 2 | 2013 | 5 | Tracking |
| Amazon SAN3 Solar Project | 2024 | 4.6 | Fixed tilt |
| Genentech-Oceanside Hybrid | 2016 | 4.5 | Tracking |
| Ramona Solar Energy | 2017 | 3.7 | Fixed tilt |
| Granger | 2016 | 3 | Tracking |
| Lindberg FIeld Solar | 2015 | 2.9 | Fixed tilt |
| San Diego - EMDF at San Diego | 2021 | 2.9 | Fixed tilt |
| Grossmont College | 2023 | 2.6 | Fixed tilt |
| Valley Center 1 | 2013 | 2.5 | Tracking |
| Valley Center | 2016 | 2.3 | Tracking |
| CA - DGS RFP - RJ Donovan State Prison | 2024 | 2 | Tracking |
| Ramona 1 | 2013 | 2 | Tracking |
| Lindberg Field Solar 2 | 2017 | 1.9 | Fixed tilt |
| San Diego - NCRC at Vista | 2021 | 1.8 | Fixed tilt |
| County of San Diego COC Hybrid | 2020 | 1.7 | Fixed tilt |
| Gilead Oceanside Solar Project | 2021 | 1.5 | Tracking |
| Grossmont HS Solar Project | 2018 | 1.4 | Fixed tilt |
| Grossmont-Cuyamaca-Cuyamaca Col. Solar & | 2024 | 1.4 | Fixed tilt |
| Vallecitos Water District | 2021 | 1.4 | Fixed tilt |
| County of San Diego SBRC | 2018 | 1.3 | Tracking |
7 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 2024.[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.
San Diego County, California has 32 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 165.3 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 Ocotillo Wells (2023, 50 MW AC), Solar Borrego I (2013, 26 MW AC), Jacumba Solar Farm (2017, 20 MW AC), Desert Green Solar Farm, LLC (2014, 6.3 MW AC), Ramona 2 (2013, 5 MW AC) and Valley Center 2 (2013, 5 MW AC).[1] The next are Amazon SAN3 Solar Project (2024, 4.6 MW AC) and Genentech-Oceanside Hybrid (2016, 4.5 MW AC), plus 17 more in the table above and seven 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, one came online in the 2000s, 21 in the 2010s and 10 in the 2020s.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2]
Nearby California counties with utility-scale solar plants include Riverside County (4,355.8 MW AC), Imperial County (2,106.3 MW AC), Orange County (34.8 MW AC), San Bernardino County (1,777.6 MW AC) and Los Angeles County (1,822.2 MW AC).[1]
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in California
Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties
Oil and gas mineral rights in San Diego County, California
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in San Diego County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Riverside County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Imperial County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Orange 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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