Quick answer
Kern County, Solano County and Riverside County have the most recorded wind capacity in California, with 3,253.9 MW, 1,095.7 MW and 666.8 MW.[1]
Wind projects in California came online between 1982 and 2026.[1]
| County | Projects | Turbines | Capacity (MW) | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kern County | 45 | 3,249 | 3,253.9 | 1982–2021 |
| Solano County | 14 | 529 | 1,095.7 | 2003–2024 |
| Riverside County | 26 | 624 | 666.8 | 1984–2025 |
| Imperial County | 1 | 112 | 264.2 | 2013 |
| Alameda County | 8 | 148 | 212.9 | 1985–2026 |
| San Diego County | 3 | 83 | 183 | 2005–2018 |
| Contra Costa County | 2 | 71 | 113.9 | 2006–2011 |
| Shasta County | 1 | 44 | 101.2 | 2010 |
| Santa Barbara County | 1 | 27 | 95.3 | 2023 |
| Monterey County | 7 | 8 | 16.4 | 2014–2022 |
| San Bernardino County | 4 | 6 | 8.7 | 2009–2012 |
| San Joaquin County | 2 | 3 | 3.5 | 2010–2011 |
| Los Angeles County | 1 | 1 | 1.9 | 2017 |
| Tehama County | 1 | 1 | 1.5 | 2012 |
| Yolo County | 1 | 1 | 1.5 | 2012 |
Source: U.S. Wind Turbine Database (USGS, ACP, LBNL), version 9.1, released September 28, 2026. Data compiled November 3, 2026.
In royalty arrangements, the developer pays the landowner a percentage of the revenue received from the electricity produced by the turbines.[2] In a flat or fixed-fee arrangement, the developer pays a fixed fee per turbine, per unit of land or per megawatt of installed capacity on a monthly or yearly basis.[2] Wind power leases generally have terms of 20 to 40 years, often with an option to extend, while a typical utility-scale wind power project has a useful life of 20 years.[2]
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. A wind lease rents land for a term of years, and wind power leases generally have terms of 20 to 40 years, often with an option for extending the lease.[2] Under a wind lease, the landowner typically keeps the right to continue to grow crops, raise cattle or otherwise use the land outside the project.[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.
California has 116 operating wind projects with 4,907 turbines and 6,020.4 MW of recorded capacity across 15 counties, according to the U.S. Wind Turbine Database (version 9.1, released September 28, 2026).[1]
By recorded capacity, the leading counties are Kern County (3,253.9 MW), Solano County (1,095.7 MW), Riverside County (666.8 MW), Imperial County (264.2 MW) and Alameda County (212.9 MW).[1]
Buckhead Energy buys wind lease payments and wind 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 projects with a recorded year, 15 came online in the 1980s, five in the 1990s, 22 in the 2000s, 58 in the 2010s and 15 in the 2020s.[1] Wind power leases generally have terms of 20 to 40 years, often with an option to extend, while a typical utility-scale wind power project has a useful life of 20 years.[2]
[1] U.S. Wind Turbine Database (version 9.1, released September 28, 2026) — U.S. Geological Survey, American Clean Power Association and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (accessed November 1, 2026)
[2] New York Wind Energy Guide for Local Decision Makers: Land Agreements — New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) (accessed November 1, 2026)
Buckhead Energy buys wind lease payments and wind royalties.
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