40.2

Risk Grade

Good

Largest solar market in Arizona by MW installed and pipeline; pro-development county; APS and SRP both active buyers; main constraint is transmission queue depth and water for large projects.

Assessment Snapshot

Population

4,420,568

State Rank

Compliance

34%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

No Moratorium

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

Maricopa County ZO: 50 ft from property lines for utility-scale in RU-43 or AG zones. Maricopa county is generally permissive; most large projects in unincorporated agricultural zones west and southwest of Phoenix (Buckeye, Tonopah, Arlington areas).

Zoning Mechanism

CUP or Use Permit via Maricopa County Planning & Development Dept. for utility-scale in agricultural zones. Generally straightforward process; board is pro-economic development.

Acreage Caps

None codified; practical limits from transmission capacity and competing land uses.

Density Caps

None codified.

Spacing Rules

None codified.

Size Restrictions

No county size restriction; APS/SRP grid capacity in western Maricopa County is the key practical constraint for very large projects.

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Very supportive; Phoenix metro has the most active solar market in Arizona; APS is a major utility-scale buyer; strong economic incentives drive rooftop and utility-scale; county board is development-friendly.

Basis for Assessment

Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is majority Republican but strongly pro-economic development; Phoenix metro is APS headquarters; SRP serves eastern Maricopa; extremely active solar market driven by exceptional irradiance, growth, and APS IRP commitments; SunZia + Cholla retirements creating new utility-scale demand.

Political Risk Factors

Stable

Board Members

Maricopa County Board of Supervisors: Jack Sellers (Chair, District 1) | R | 2026; Thomas Galvin (District 2) | R | 2026; Bill Gates (District 3) | R | 2026; Clint Hickman (District 4) | R | 2026; Steve Gallardo (District 5) | D | 2026.

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

Arizona Public Service (APS) and Salt River Project (SRP) / Western Interconnection (WECC)

Utilities

Arizona Public Service (APS) — Pinnacle West Capital (western/central Maricopa), Salt River Project (SRP) — eastern Maricopa County (Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler)

State Permitting Process

Maricopa County Use Permit or CUP via Planning & Development Dept. and Board of Supervisors. Generally 6–12 month process. Arizona One-Stop Shop. APS/SRP interconnection study. ADWR water rights for construction/O&M in desert. FAA Part 77 coordination for structures near PHX and DVT airports. ACC rate case may affect PPA pricing but no separate ACC construction permit for merchant projects.

State Incentives

No binding Arizona RPS. APS 2022 IRP targets 45% renewable by 2025, 100% clean by 2050. SRP renewable commitment. Federal ITC/PVTC. Arizona property tax exemption (ARS §42-11054) and sales tax exemption (ARS §42-5061) for solar. Foreign Trade Zone and Enterprise Zone incentives in industrial areas. Qualifying Facility (QF) PURPA rates available.

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

Very few denials on record; board is broadly pro-development; some applications withdrawn due to APS interconnection queue delays.

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Maricopa County, AZ — Solar Development Risk Assessment