Gooding County, ID — Solar Development Risk Assessment

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

38.8
Risk Grade
Good
Magic Valley solar corridor county; experienced CUP process; ag landowners engaged in solar leasing; high irradiance and flat terrain
Assessment Snapshot
Population
15200
State Rank
#8
Compliance
25%
Trajectory
30

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium
No

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements
100 ft from occupied dwellings; 50 ft from property lines (standard CUP condition)
Zoning Mechanism
Conditional Use Permit via Gooding County P&Z; experienced with utility-scale review
Acreage Caps
None established at county level
Density Caps
None established
Spacing Rules
Not specified
Size Restrictions
20 ft height limit typical CUP condition

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis
Generally favorable — Magic Valley agricultural community receptive to solar lease revenue; conservative but pragmatic governance
Basis for Assessment
Multiple utility-scale projects approved; agricultural economy welcomes land revenue; part of Magic Valley solar corridor
Political Risk Factors
Stable
Board Members
Matt Grimmett (Chair); Gary Flinders; Del Doty

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator
Idaho Power Company (IPCO) / WECC-NWPP
Utilities
Idaho Power Company (IPCO), None significant
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Denied/Withdrawn Projects
0

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