45.8

Risk Grade

Good

Fast-growing Ada County spillover with conservative governance; no solar-specific ordinance; agricultural land protection creates friction; limited CUP track record

Assessment Snapshot

Population

19500

State Rank

#13

Compliance

35%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

100 ft from occupied structures; 50 ft from property lines (typical CUP condition)

Zoning Mechanism

Conditional Use Permit via Gem County P&Z; limited solar processing history

Acreage Caps

None established

Density Caps

None established

Spacing Rules

Not specified

Size Restrictions

20 ft height limit typical CUP condition

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Mixed — growing suburban fringe bringing more solar-aware residents; established conservative rural governance

Basis for Assessment

Rapid growth from Ada/Canyon spillover brings progressive-leaning in-migration; conservative county commission; agricultural land preservation concern; Emmett fruit-growing region

Political Risk Factors

Slightly Declining

Board Members

Sheryl Cresswell (Chair); Rick Young; Morgan Masner

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

Idaho Power Company (IPCO) / WECC-NWPP

Utilities

Idaho Power Company (IPCO), Consumers Power Inc. (cooperative)

State Permitting Process

CUP required; state building permits; Idaho Power interconnection

State Incentives

Eligible — Idaho Residential Clean Energy Credit; Idaho Power net metering

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

None verified

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

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Gem County, ID — Solar Development Risk Assessment