Howard County, IA — Solar Development Risk Assessment

No Moratorium

None codified. No confirmed county-specific solar ordinance.

Howard County Planning & Zoning: CUP/SUP in Agricultural district.

Generally receptive — agricultural community

NE Iowa agricultural; Cresco area; active solar; local CUP

Stable

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.

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.

Big Dave Solar Farm | 300 MW | Howard + Mitchell Counties | Invenergy | IUC Certificate GCU-2019-004 approved 2019 | operational 2021-2022

No confirmed county conditional use permit denial on record for Howard County as of Mar 2026. Iowa Wind and Solar Energy Generation Act governs. Contact Howard County Planning.