Solar Energy Program Rents and Other Fees
For all solar and wind energy facilities on public lands, the BLM requires payment in advance for the use of the public lands. Payment in advance includes an acreage rent that is required prior to the issuance of a grant or lease, and a megawatt (MW) capacity fee which is required prior to the start of energy generation. Both the acreage rent and MW capacity fee are paid in advance annually during the term of the grant or lease, in accordance with regulations and guidance.
Payments may also include bids, which are received through a competitive process where developers may compete for a solar or wind energy parcel. Bids are anticipated to be received less frequently than acreage rent and MW capacity fees as they are only received during a competitive process. The acreage rent and MW capacity fee, plus any bonus bids that the BLM receives, ensure that the BLM obtains fair market value for the public lands.
BLM 2025 Solar Energy Acreage Rent Schedule 43 C.F.R. 2806.52(a)(2)
The solar energy acreage rent schedule applies to new, re-issued per 43 CFR 2806.51(c), and renewed rights-of-way. The acreage rent for solar rights-of-way will be calculated by multiplying the acres authorized (rounded up to the nearest tenth of an acre) by the per-acre rate (43 CFR 2806.52(a)) set for the ROW at the time of issuance or re-issuance per 43 CFR 2806.51(c).
This schedule is in effect through 2025 and will be updated next for calendar year 2026 through 2030, as appropriate. 43 CFR 2806.52(a)(1)(i).
State | 2025 |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $ 2.36 |
| California | $ 14.18 |
| Colorado | $ 6.70 |
| Idaho | $ 13.28 |
| Montana | $ 7.45 |
| Nevada | $ 12.38 |
| New Mexico | $ 3.43 |
| Oregon | $ 13.51 |
| Utah | $ 5.21 |
| Washington | $ 9.00 |
| Wyoming | $ 5.35 |
BLM 2025 Megawatt Hour (MWh) Rate Schedule 43 C.F.R. 2806.52(b)(6)
The MWh rate schedule applies to new, re-issued per 43 CFR 2806.51(c), and renewed rights-of-way. The MWh rate applies to a facility when it begins to generate electricity. The BLM will calculate the capacity fee by multiplying the amount of power generated for the right-of-way and the MWh rate (43 CFR 2806.52(b)) set at the time of issuance or re-issuance per 43 CFR 2806.51(c).
This schedule is in effect through 2025 and will be updated next for calendar year 2026 through 2030, as appropriate. 43 CFR 2806.52(b)(7).
2025 MWh Rate: $ 58.81