Quick answer
McKinley County, Bernalillo County and Sandoval County have the most utility-scale solar capacity in New Mexico, with 508 MW (AC), 356.7 MW (AC) and 255.6 MW (AC).[1]
Utility-scale solar plants in New Mexico came online between 2010 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: Santa Fe County (9.5 MW), Lincoln County (3 MW), Sierra County (2.9 MW), Curry County (2 MW), Grant County (1 MW) and Los Alamos County (1 MW).[1]
| County | Plants | Capacity (MW AC) | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| McKinley County | 3 | 508 | 2018–2024 |
| Bernalillo County | 10 | 356.7 | 2011–2024 |
| Sandoval County | 7 | 255.6 | 2013–2025 |
| Valencia County | 8 | 254.1 | 2013–2024 |
| Rio Arriba County | 5 | 244 | 2019–2025 |
| San Juan County | 1 | 200 | 2024 |
| Chaves County | 5 | 173.1 | 2011–2023 |
| Otero County | 5 | 147.4 | 2011–2023 |
| Luna County | 4 | 91.2 | 2013–2017 |
| Cibola County | 4 | 64 | 2015–2019 |
| Torrance County | 2 | 52 | 2018–2019 |
| Lea County | 5 | 45 | 2011–2017 |
| Doña Ana County | 5 | 44.8 | 2011–2021 |
| Colfax County | 3 | 41.4 | 2010–2021 |
| Eddy County | 2 | 29.9 | 2011–2023 |
| San Miguel County | 4 | 26.5 | 2011–2019 |
| Quay County | 1 | 25 | 2016 |
| Taos County | 5 | 22 | 2011–2021 |
Source: U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (USGS, LBNL), version 4.0, released April 14, 2026. Data compiled November 1, 2026.
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 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.
New Mexico has 86 utility-scale solar plants of at least 1 MW, with 2,600.1 MW (AC) of capacity across 24 counties, according to the U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (version 4.0, released April 14, 2026).[1]
By recorded capacity, the leading counties are McKinley County (508 MW AC), Bernalillo County (356.7 MW AC), Sandoval County (255.6 MW AC), Valencia County (254.1 MW AC) and Rio Arriba County (244 MW AC).[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.
Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties
[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)
Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties.
Get a Free Written Offer