SolarRisk Tracker / Explore / ID / Clearwater

Clearwater County, ID — Solar Development Risk Assessment

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

47.2
Risk Grade
Fair
Timber economy county with no solar framework; declining population; forested terrain limits large-scale viability; conservative land use values
Assessment Snapshot
Population
8800
State Rank
#15
Compliance
35%
Trajectory
45

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium
No

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements
General setback requirements for rural structures
Zoning Mechanism
Conditional Use or variance via Board of County Commissioners; no solar permitting history
Acreage Caps
None established
Density Caps
None established
Spacing Rules
Not specified
Size Restrictions
General height limits

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis
Neutral to skeptical — timber-dependent community with limited solar exposure; some concern about land use change
Basis for Assessment
Timber industry historically dominant; conservative rural values; declining population reduces development pressure; forested terrain limits utility-scale viability
Political Risk Factors
Declining
Board Members
Bill Doehle (Chair); Steve Nuxoll; Lori Sherwood

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator
Avista Utilities / WECC-NWPP
Utilities
Avista Utilities, Clearwater Power Company
State Permitting Process
County CUP/variance process; state building code
State Incentives
Eligible — Idaho Residential Clean Energy Credit; Avista net metering

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects
None on record
Denied/Withdrawn Projects
0

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Last verified: April 2026 (web research) | SolarRisk Tracker | Data sources: Government records, utility filings, public meeting minutes