SolarRisk Tracker / Explore / IA / Cerro Gordo

Cerro Gordo County, IA — Solar Development Risk Assessment

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

79.6
Risk Grade
Fail
Permanent zoning prohibition on utility-scale solar and wind on agricultural land (Ordinance 69, Dec 2024); driven by community opposition to Ranger Power 3,628-acre Clear Lake project; Planning Commission public meetings 300+ attendees; no pathway for utility-scale solar in A-1/A-2 zones
Assessment Snapshot
Population
42,452
State Rank
#27
Compliance
50%
Trajectory
48

Moratorium Status

⚠ Active Moratorium
Active — Permanent Ban (Ordinance 69, Dec 23, 2024)

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements
None codified. No confirmed county-specific solar ordinance.
Zoning Mechanism
Cerro Gordo County Planning & Zoning: CUP/SUP in Agricultural district.
Acreage Caps
None codified.
Density Caps
None codified.
Spacing Rules
None codified.
Size Restrictions
None codified.

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis
Generally receptive — economic development focus
Basis for Assessment
N Iowa; Mason City area; active solar market; industrial/agricultural mix; local CUP
Political Risk Factors
Stable
Board Members
Board of Supervisors | 3 members | Mason City, Iowa | 4-yr staggered terms | Partisan elections | Voted unanimously to adopt Ord. 69 Dec 2024

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator
MISO / Alliant Energy (ALTW) zone
Utilities
Alliant Energy (ALTW), MidAmerican Energy
State Permitting Process
Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) generating certificate required for projects ≥25 MW (Iowa Code §478). Projects <25 MW: local CUP/SUP under county/township zoning governs. No statewide preemption of local ordinances — Iowa is a strong local-control state. County boards have full authority to restrict or deny solar below 25 MW threshold. Active local opposition movement in many agricultural counties; several moratoriums and restrictive ordinances enacted 2021–2024. IUB certificate does not override local zoning for sub-25 MW projects. MISO interconnection territory statewide.
State Incentives
Iowa Renewable Energy Standard: minimal (105 MW aggregate mandate met since late 1990s). Net metering: IUC-regulated utilities (MidAmerican Energy, Alliant IPL) offer net metering under Iowa Code §476A; programs vary by cooperative. Property tax exemption: 5-year exemption for solar equipment added via IA Code §427B.26. MidAmerican Energy planning 800 MW new solar at ~6 IA sites by 2028 (filed IUC Feb 17 2025). Utility: MidAmerican Energy serves Des Moines metro, western/central IA; Alliant Energy/IPL serves eastern/southern IA; rural areas served by 60+ electric cooperatives.

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects
Cerro Gordo County (Mason City area), north-central Iowa. Alliant Energy (IPL) serves. Mason City has active commercial solar. Clear Lake: tourism/agricultural. Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Stockman House area.
Denied/Withdrawn Projects
Ranger Power solar project | 3628 acres | Permanent ban enacted | Dec 2024 | Reason: County supervisors voted unanimously to prohibit utility-scale solar on agricultural land

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