# Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in California

> California: 116 wind projects in 15 counties, 6,020.4 MW. Buckhead Energy buys wind lease payments and wind royalties.

- URL: https://www.buckheadenergy.com/wind-royalties/california
- Last updated: 2026-11-03
- Publisher: Buckhead Energy (https://www.buckheadenergy.com/)
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Quick answer

Buckhead Energy buys wind lease payments and wind royalties. 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).

## Wind projects by county in California

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](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/wind-royalties/california/kern) | 45 | 3,249 | 3,253.9 | 1982–2021 |
| [Solano County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/wind-royalties/california/solano) | 14 | 529 | 1,095.7 | 2003–2024 |
| [Riverside County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/wind-royalties/california/riverside) | 26 | 624 | 666.8 | 1984–2025 |
| [Imperial County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/wind-royalties/california/imperial) | 1 | 112 | 264.2 | 2013 |
| [Alameda County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/wind-royalties/california/alameda) | 8 | 148 | 212.9 | 1985–2026 |
| [San Diego County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/wind-royalties/california/san-diego) | 3 | 83 | 183 | 2005–2018 |
| [Contra Costa County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/wind-royalties/california/contra-costa) | 2 | 71 | 113.9 | 2006–2011 |
| [Shasta County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/wind-royalties/california/shasta) | 1 | 44 | 101.2 | 2010 |
| [Santa Barbara County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/wind-royalties/california/santa-barbara) | 1 | 27 | 95.3 | 2023 |
| [Monterey County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/wind-royalties/california/monterey) | 7 | 8 | 16.4 | 2014–2022 |
| [San Bernardino County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/wind-royalties/california/san-bernardino) | 4 | 6 | 8.7 | 2009–2012 |
| [San Joaquin County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/wind-royalties/california/san-joaquin) | 2 | 3 | 3.5 | 2010–2011 |
| [Los Angeles County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/wind-royalties/california/los-angeles) | 1 | 1 | 1.9 | 2017 |
| [Tehama County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/wind-royalties/california/tehama) | 1 | 1 | 1.5 | 2012 |
| [Yolo County](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/wind-royalties/california/yolo) | 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.

## How wind leases pay

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 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. 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.

## Frequently asked questions

### How many wind projects are in California?

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).^\[1\]

### Which California counties have the most wind capacity?

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).^\[1\]

### Can I sell wind lease payments or royalties in California?

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.

### When were California's wind projects built?

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.^\[2\]

## Related pages

[Selling Wind Royalties and Wind Lease Payments](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/wind-royalties)

[Mineral rights in California](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/mineral-rights/california)

[Solar Lease Payments and Royalties in California](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/solar-lease-royalties/california)

## Sources

\[1\] [U.S. Wind Turbine Database (version 9.1, released September 28, 2026)](https://energy.usgs.gov/uswtdb/) — 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](https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/-/media/Project/Nyserda/Files/Publications/Research/Biomass-Solar-Wind/NY-Wind-Energy-Guide-3.pdf) — New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) (accessed November 1, 2026)

## Ready to Sell Your Wind Lease Payments or Royalties?

Buckhead Energy buys wind lease payments and wind royalties.

[Get a Free Written Offer](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/sell#inquiry:source=%2Fwind-royalties%2Fcalifornia)

## 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.

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