61.6

Risk Grade

Poor

Board-level organized opposition to utility-scale solar is the primary risk driver; restrictive CUP conditions and denials since 2022; growing anti-solar sentiment among conservative constituents; trajectory is the most concerning factor.

Assessment Snapshot

Population

213,267

State Rank

#13

Compliance

46%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

No Moratorium

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

Mohave County ZR: CUP conditions for utility-scale have included setbacks of 500+ ft from residences in some approvals; county does not have a codified uniform setback for solar but imposes conditions case-by-case. Growing trend toward more restrictive conditions.

Zoning Mechanism

CUP via Mohave County Planning & Zoning Commission; Board of Supervisors final approval. Board has rejected or imposed onerous conditions on several utility-scale applications since 2022. Growing local opposition particularly in Kingman and Lake Havasu City areas.

Acreage Caps

None codified; board has discussed acreage caps informally. Individual CUP denials or limitations applied.

Density Caps

None codified but board trending toward imposing limits via CUP conditions.

Spacing Rules

None codified; imposed case-by-case via CUP.

Size Restrictions

No formal size restriction; board opposition has effectively blocked some large projects.

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Increasingly hostile at board level; Mohave County supervisors have been vocal critics of utility-scale solar; conservative constituents in Kingman and Lake Havasu City mirror board opposition; contrast with Hualapai Tribe on tribal land which is pro-solar.

Basis for Assessment

Mohave County Board of Supervisors (all Republican) has been among the most vocal anti-utility-scale-solar boards in Arizona; Commissioner Ron Gould and others have led opposition citing land use, viewshed, and property values; growing organized opposition from Mohave County landowners association; this trajectory is worsening.

Political Risk Factors

Worsening

Board Members

Mohave County Board of Supervisors: Ron Gould (District 1) | R | 2026; Travis Lingenfelter (District 2) | R | 2026; Hildy Angius (District 3) | R | 2026; Jean Bishop (District 4) | R | 2026; Rich Sheridan (District 5) | R | 2026.

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

Arizona Public Service (APS) / Western Interconnection (WECC)

Utilities

Arizona Public Service (APS) — Pinnacle West Capital, Unisource Energy Services (UNS) — northern Mohave County / Bullhead City

State Permitting Process

Mohave County CUP via Planning & Zoning Commission and Board of Supervisors — currently the highest-risk county permitting process in Arizona for utility-scale solar. Arizona One-Stop Shop. APS interconnection study. BLM ROW for federal land (significant BLM holdings in county). FAA coordination.

State Incentives

No binding Arizona RPS. Federal ITC/PVTC. Arizona solar tax exemptions. Despite incentives, county-level opposition is the binding constraint.

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

Multiple CUP applications for utility-scale solar stalled or rejected by Board 2022–2025; board has cited viewshed, traffic, and land character concerns; at least 2 major projects (>100 MW) withdrawn after board signaled opposition.

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Mohave County, AZ — Solar Development Risk Assessment