Quick answer
The plants came online between 2017 and 2022.[1] Three of the 10 plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and seven use fixed-tilt panels.[1] Three plants have battery storage on site.[1]
| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Campus 2 PV | 2017 | 14.4 | Tracking |
| Stanford Campus Solar | 2017 | 3.4 | Fixed tilt |
| Malech Solar Farm | 2017 | 3.1 | Fixed tilt |
| West Valley Mission CCD Solar Project | 2022 | 2.7 | Tracking |
| Hellyer Solar Farm | 2017 | 2.2 | Fixed tilt |
| CSU San Jose State University | 2021 | 1.7 | Fixed tilt |
| Guadalupe Solar Farm | 2018 | 1.7 | Fixed tilt |
| Google Moffett Park Solar Project | 2021 | 1.6 | Tracking |
| Gavilan Community College Solar Project | 2018 | 1.4 | Fixed tilt |
| Solar Star Palo Alto I, LLC | 2019 | 1.3 | 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 2017.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2] The newest came online in 2022.[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.
Santa Clara County, California has 10 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 33.5 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 Apple Campus 2 PV (2017, 14.4 MW AC), Stanford Campus Solar (2017, 3.4 MW AC), Malech Solar Farm (2017, 3.1 MW AC), West Valley Mission CCD Solar Project (2022, 2.7 MW AC), Hellyer Solar Farm (2017, 2.2 MW AC) and CSU San Jose State University (2021, 1.7 MW AC).[1] The next are Guadalupe Solar Farm (2018, 1.7 MW AC) and Google Moffett Park Solar Project (2021, 1.6 MW AC), plus two 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 three in the 2020s.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2]
Nearby California counties with utility-scale solar plants include Contra Costa County (81 MW AC), San Benito County (148.4 MW AC), Stanislaus County (299.6 MW AC), San Joaquin County (25.1 MW AC) and Solano County (39.7 MW AC).[1]
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in California
Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties
Oil and gas mineral rights in Santa Clara County, California
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Contra Costa County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in San Benito County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Stanislaus 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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