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Pima County, AZ — Solar Development Risk Assessment

Local solar ordinance barriers, board sentiment, and utility policies that affect development timelines and risk.

32.3
Risk Grade
Excellent
Democratic board majority with strong clean energy commitments; TEP among most renewable-forward AZ utilities; University of Arizona and City of Tucson create pro-solar political environment; lowest risk score in Arizona.
Assessment Snapshot
Population
1,043,433
State Rank
#1
Compliance
31%
Trajectory
28

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium
No Moratorium

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements
Pima County ZC: utility-scale solar requires rezoning or Special Use Permit. No unusually restrictive setbacks; standard Agricultural (GR) zone conditions apply.
Zoning Mechanism
Special Use Permit or rezoning via Pima County Planning & Development Dept. and Board of Supervisors. Generally straightforward; board majority is Democratic and supportive of clean energy.
Acreage Caps
None codified.
Density Caps
None codified.
Spacing Rules
None codified.
Size Restrictions
No formal restriction; TEP grid capacity and land use compatibility are practical limits.

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis
Very supportive; Pima County and Tucson have strong climate and clean energy commitments; TEP is one of the most renewable-oriented IOUs in Arizona; University of Arizona and City of Tucson drive progressive clean energy policy.
Basis for Assessment
Pima County Board of Supervisors has Democratic majority; Sharon Bronson (Board Chair) and colleagues have formal climate action commitments; TEP 2023 IRP targets 70% renewables by 2035; Tucson area has strong University of Arizona research/policy community supporting solar; among lowest-risk county environments in AZ.
Political Risk Factors
Improving
Board Members
Pima County Board of Supervisors: Rex Scott (District 1) | D | 2026; Matt Heinz (District 2) | D | 2026; Adelita Grijalva (District 3) | D | 2026; Steve Christy (District 4) | R | 2026; Sharon Bronson (District 5) | D | 2026.

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator
Tucson Electric Power (TEP) / Western Interconnection (WECC)
Utilities
Tucson Electric Power (TEP) — UNS Energy / Fortis, Trico Electric Cooperative — rural northwest Pima County
State Permitting Process
Pima County Special Use Permit or rezoning via Planning & Development and Board of Supervisors. Generally efficient 6–9 month process. Arizona One-Stop Shop. TEP interconnection study. ADWR water rights. FAA coordination for structures near TUS airport.
State Incentives
No binding Arizona RPS. TEP 2023 IRP: 70% renewable by 2035. Federal ITC/PVTC. Arizona property tax exemption (ARS §42-11054) and sales tax exemption (ARS §42-5061). University of Arizona research partnerships. City of Tucson commercial solar incentives.

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects
Ajo Solar (TEP) | 20 MW | Operational Vail Solar (TEP) | 20 MW | Operational Tegrita Solar (NextEra/TEP) | 100 MW | PPA approved | Under construction 2024 Egger Solar (AES/TEP) | 200 MW | PPA approved | Pipeline Numerous Tucson Electric Power renewable PPAs | Various MW | Operational/pipeline
Denied/Withdrawn Projects
Very few denials; TEP RFP process occasionally does not select bids but county itself is supportive.

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Last verified: 2026-03-24 | SolarRisk Tracker | Data sources: Government records, utility filings, public meeting minutes