Quick answer
The plants came online between 2010 and 2023.[1] Nine of the 20 plants with a recorded mounting type use tracking systems that follow the sun, and 11 use fixed-tilt panels.[1]
| Plant | Online | Capacity (MW AC) | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| McGraw Hill Solar | 2011 | 12 | Fixed tilt |
| Hamilton Solar-Crosswicks | 2011 | 7.5 | Fixed tilt |
| Mercer County Community College | 2013 | 7.5 | Fixed tilt |
| The Lawrenceville School Solar Facility | 2012 | 5.5 | Tracking |
| Princeton University Cogeneration | 2012 | 4.5 | Tracking |
| Titusville Solar | 2010 | 4.1 | Tracking |
| Yardville Solar Farm | 2010 | 3.6 | Fixed tilt |
| 24 Applegate Solar, LLC | 2014 | 2.6 | Tracking |
| Princeton Solar Project | 2017 | 2.5 | Fixed tilt |
| Robin NJ | 2022 | 2.2 | Fixed tilt |
| 12 Applegate Solar, LLC | 2012 | 1.5 | Tracking |
| IGS FE Trenton, LLC | 2020 | 1.5 | Fixed tilt |
| 4 Applegate Solar, LLC | 2012 | 1.4 | Tracking |
| 510 Carnegie Center | 2019 | 1.4 | Tracking |
| ETS Ewing Solar Facility | 2010 | 1.3 | Tracking |
| 101 Carnegie Center Solar, LLC | 2020 | 1.2 | Fixed tilt |
| 701 Carnegie Center | 2019 | 1.1 | Tracking |
| Mercer Mall | 2012 | 1.1 | Fixed tilt |
| Hamilton | 2023 | 1 | Fixed tilt |
| Trenton Solar Farm | 2010 | 1 | 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 2010.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2] The newest came online in 2023.[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.
Mercer County, New Jersey has 20 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 64.5 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 McGraw Hill Solar (2011, 12 MW AC), Hamilton Solar-Crosswicks (2011, 7.5 MW AC), Mercer County Community College (2013, 7.5 MW AC), The Lawrenceville School Solar Facility (2012, 5.5 MW AC) and Princeton University Cogeneration (2012, 4.5 MW AC).[1] The next are Titusville Solar (2010, 4.1 MW AC), Yardville Solar Farm (2010, 3.6 MW AC) and 24 Applegate Solar, LLC (2014, 2.6 MW AC), plus 12 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, 16 came online in the 2010s and four in the 2020s.[1] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.[2]
Nearby New Jersey counties with utility-scale solar plants include Burlington County (182.4 MW AC), Somerset County (55.7 MW AC), Middlesex County (173.5 MW AC), Monmouth County (93.3 MW AC) and Hunterdon County (74 MW AC).[1]
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in New Jersey
Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Burlington County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Somerset County
Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in Middlesex 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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