Quick answer
The plants came online between 2013 and 2024.[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]
| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canoe Brook Solar | 2022 | 6.3 | Fixed tilt |
| East Orange Solar | 2015 | 4.5 | Fixed tilt |
| Short Hills Mall | 2018 | 2.7 | Tracking |
| Newark Solar 1 LLC | 2024 | 2.2 | Fixed tilt |
| Lister Avenue Solar | 2022 | 2 | Fixed tilt |
| Prudential 80 Livingston Roseland Solar | 2013 | 1.7 | Fixed tilt |
| 601 Doremus CDG | 2021 | 1.5 | Tracking |
| CCG Marketing | 2018 | 1.5 | Tracking |
| Ports Newark 8201 Solar | 2022 | 1.4 | Fixed tilt |
| Prudential 55 Livingston Roseland Solar | 2013 | 1.2 | 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 2013.[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]
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.
Essex County, New Jersey has 10 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 25 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 Canoe Brook Solar (2022, 6.3 MW AC), East Orange Solar (2015, 4.5 MW AC), Short Hills Mall (2018, 2.7 MW AC), Newark Solar 1 LLC (2024, 2.2 MW AC), Lister Avenue Solar (2022, 2 MW AC) and Prudential 80 Livingston Roseland Solar (2013, 1.7 MW AC).[1] The next are 601 Doremus CDG (2021, 1.5 MW AC) and CCG Marketing (2018, 1.5 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, five came online in the 2010s and five in the 2020s.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2]
Nearby New Jersey counties with utility-scale solar plants include Union County (31.8 MW AC), Hudson County (25.2 MW AC), Morris County (61 MW AC), Middlesex County (173.5 MW AC) and Somerset County (55.7 MW AC).[1]
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in New Jersey
Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Union County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Hudson County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Morris 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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