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Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Delaware

Quick answer

Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties. Delaware has 15 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 95.3 MW (AC) of capacity across three 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 Delaware

New Castle County and Kent County have the most utility-scale solar capacity in Delaware, with 55.5 MW (AC) and 25.9 MW (AC).[1]

Utility-scale solar plants in Delaware came online between 2011 and 2024.[1]

The table lists the two counties with at least 20 MW (AC) in total, each with its own page.[1] Counties with less than 20 MW (AC) in total: Sussex County (13.9 MW).[1]

CountyPlantsCapacity (MW AC)Online
New Castle County555.52011–2024
Kent County525.92011–2023

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]

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 Delaware?

Delaware has 15 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 95.3 MW (AC) of capacity across three counties, according to the U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (version 4.0, released April 14, 2026).[1]

Which Delaware counties have the most solar capacity?

By recorded capacity, the leading counties are New Castle County (55.5 MW AC) and Kent County (25.9 MW AC).[1]

Can I sell solar lease payments or royalties in Delaware?

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 Delaware's utility-scale solar plants built?

Of the plants with a recorded year, 11 came online in the 2010s and four in the 2020s.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[4]

Related pages

Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties

Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Delaware

Sources

[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] Farmer's Guide to Going Solar — U.S. Department of Energy (accessed November 1, 2026)

[3] Farmland Owner's Guide to Solar Leasing — Ohio State University Extension and the National Agricultural Law Center (accessed November 1, 2026)

[4] Solar Lease Considerations for Landowners — Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (accessed November 1, 2026)

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