# Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in New Mexico > New Mexico: 86 utility-scale solar plants in 24 counties, 2,600.1 MW (AC). Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties. - URL: https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/newmexico - Last updated: 2026-11-01 - Publisher: Buckhead Energy (https://www.buckheadenergy.com/) - Format: full-content Markdown twin of the page (same content as the HTML; site navigation and footer removed) Breadcrumb: [Home](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/) › [Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties) › New Mexico Quick answer Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties. 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). ## Utility-scale solar plants by county in New Mexico 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](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/newmexico/mckinley) | 3 | 508 | 2018–2024 | | [Bernalillo County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/newmexico/bernalillo) | 10 | 356.7 | 2011–2024 | | [Sandoval County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/newmexico/sandoval) | 7 | 255.6 | 2013–2025 | | [Valencia County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/newmexico/valencia) | 8 | 254.1 | 2013–2024 | | [Rio Arriba County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/newmexico/rio-arriba) | 5 | 244 | 2019–2025 | | [San Juan County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/newmexico/san-juan) | 1 | 200 | 2024 | | [Chaves County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/newmexico/chaves) | 5 | 173.1 | 2011–2023 | | [Otero County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/newmexico/otero) | 5 | 147.4 | 2011–2023 | | [Luna County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/newmexico/luna) | 4 | 91.2 | 2013–2017 | | [Cibola County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/newmexico/cibola) | 4 | 64 | 2015–2019 | | [Torrance County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/newmexico/torrance) | 2 | 52 | 2018–2019 | | [Lea County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/newmexico/lea) | 5 | 45 | 2011–2017 | | [Doña Ana County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/newmexico/dona-ana) | 5 | 44.8 | 2011–2021 | | [Colfax County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/newmexico/colfax) | 3 | 41.4 | 2010–2021 | | [Eddy County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/newmexico/eddy) | 2 | 29.9 | 2011–2023 | | [San Miguel County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/newmexico/san-miguel) | 4 | 26.5 | 2011–2019 | | [Quay County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/newmexico/quay) | 1 | 25 | 2016 | | [Taos County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/newmexico/taos) | 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. ## 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 Mexico? 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).^\[1\] ### Which New Mexico counties have the most solar capacity? 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).^\[1\] ### Can I sell solar lease payments or royalties in New Mexico? 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 Mexico's utility-scale solar plants built? Of the plants with a recorded year, 64 came online in the 2010s and 22 in the 2020s.^\[1\] Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years.^\[4\] ## Related pages [Selling Solar Lease Payments and Solar Royalties](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties) [Mineral rights in New Mexico](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/mineral-rights/newmexico) [Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in New Mexico](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/wind-royalties/newmexico) [Coal Mineral Rights and Royalties in New Mexico](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/coal-mineral-rights/newmexico) ## Sources \[1\] [U.S. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (version 4.0, released April 14, 2026)](https://energy.usgs.gov/uspvdb/) — U.S. Geological Survey and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (accessed November 1, 2026) \[2\] [Farmer's Guide to Going Solar](https://www.energy.gov/cmei/systems/farmers-guide-going-solar) — U.S. Department of Energy (accessed November 1, 2026) \[3\] [Farmland Owner's Guide to Solar Leasing](https://nationalaglawcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/assets/articles/hall_solar_Leasing.pdf) — Ohio State University Extension and the National Agricultural Law Center (accessed November 1, 2026) \[4\] [Solar Lease Considerations for Landowners](https://mytexas.ag.tamu.edu/publications/solar-lease-considerations-for-landowners/) — Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (accessed November 1, 2026) ## Ready to Sell Your Solar Lease Payments or Royalties? Buckhead Energy buys solar lease payments and solar royalties. [Get a Free Written Offer](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/sell#inquiry:source=%2Fsolar-lease-royalties%2Fnewmexico) ## Frequently Asked Questions **When were New Mexico's utility-scale solar plants built?** Of the plants with a recorded year, 64 came online in the 2010s and 22 in the 2020s. Solar lease agreements can last 20 to 30 years. ## About Buckhead Energy Buckhead Energy is a direct buyer, not a broker — we purchase mineral and royalty interests with our own capital. Buckhead Energy buys mineral and royalty interests across all 50 states and has completed acquisitions in 33 states. Buckhead Energy has been buying mineral and royalty interests since 2006. Buckhead Energy holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Buckhead provides a free written offer. Buckhead Energy typically provides an offer within 24–48 hours. Closings typically take 30–45 days, subject to title review and clearance. Buckhead Energy's written offers stay open for 14 days. **Sell mineral rights:** https://www.buckheadenergy.com/sell **Operator directory:** https://www.buckheadenergy.com/operators