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Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in New Jersey

Quick answer

Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties. New Jersey has 326 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 1,196.7 MW (AC) of capacity across 21 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 New Jersey

Burlington County, Middlesex County and Monmouth County have the most utility-scale solar capacity in New Jersey, with 182.4 MW (AC), 173.5 MW (AC) and 93.3 MW (AC).[1]

Utility-scale solar plants in New Jersey came online between 2006 and 2025.[1]

The table lists the 18 counties with at least 20 MW (AC) in total, each with its own page.[1] Counties with less than 20 MW (AC) in total: Bergen County (11.8 MW), Passaic County (2.9 MW) and Cape May County (2.5 MW).[1]

CountyPlantsCapacity (MW AC)Online
Burlington County37182.42011–2023
Middlesex County56173.52009–2023
Monmouth County1993.32011–2023
Warren County1277.62009–2025
Hunterdon County14742011–2022
Ocean County13682012–2024
Mercer County2064.52010–2023
Morris County14612010–2025
Camden County1758.82010–2024
Somerset County2055.72009–2023
Gloucester County1450.82011–2025
Cumberland County1550.12009–2024
Atlantic County1435.52008–2025
Sussex County732.32012–2020
Union County1831.82009–2023
Hudson County1525.22006–2022
Essex County10252013–2024
Salem County2202011–2014

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 New Jersey?

New Jersey has 326 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 1,196.7 MW (AC) of capacity across 21 counties, according to the U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (version 4.0, released April 14, 2026).[1]

Which New Jersey counties have the most solar capacity?

By recorded capacity, the leading counties are Burlington County (182.4 MW AC), Middlesex County (173.5 MW AC), Monmouth County (93.3 MW AC), Warren County (77.6 MW AC) and Hunterdon County (74 MW AC).[1]

Can I sell solar lease payments or royalties in New Jersey?

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 New Jersey's utility-scale solar plants built?

Of the plants with a recorded year, 10 came online in the 2000s, 227 in the 2010s and 89 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 New Jersey

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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