47.8

Risk Grade

Fair

Alabama's largest urban county; most sophisticated planning but Alabama Power territory limits net metering; mixed political climate; higher solar saturation risk than rural counties

Assessment Snapshot

Population

658466

State Rank

#17

Compliance

48%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

50 ft property line setback minimum; 100 ft road setback for utility-scale (county estimate)

Zoning Mechanism

County commission approval for unincorporated utility-scale; city of Birmingham review for projects within city limits; building permit for residential

Acreage Caps

None countywide

Density Caps

None countywide

Spacing Rules

None established

Size Restrictions

None established

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Mixed

Basis for Assessment

Urban mixed economy; some environmental justice concerns near urban solar; mixed political environment in Birmingham

Political Risk Factors

Stable

Board Members

5-member county commission (elected); Birmingham Mayor and Council also relevant

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

SERC — Southern Company / Alabama Power

Utilities

Alabama Power

State Permitting Process

County-level only; no statewide solar permitting statute

State Incentives

Limited — no RPS; net metering capped at 2 MW residential

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

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Jefferson County, AL — Solar Development Risk Assessment