SolarRisk Tracker / Explore / ID / Idaho

Idaho County, ID — Solar Development Risk Assessment

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

52.5
Risk Grade
Fair
Largest Idaho county by area but deeply hostile political climate for outside energy development; one project denied; sovereignty ideology creates high permitting uncertainty
Assessment Snapshot
Population
16500
State Rank
#18
Compliance
45%
Trajectory
50

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium
No

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements
General setback requirements for rural structures; county may impose punitive conditions
Zoning Mechanism
Conditional Use Permit required; county commission known for ideological land use positions; public comment period likely hostile to utility-scale projects
Acreage Caps
None established; potential for restrictive provisions if ordinance developed
Density Caps
None established
Spacing Rules
Not specified
Size Restrictions
General height limits

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis
Skeptical to opposed — strong anti-government/anti-corporate sentiment; 'constitutional county' movement active; Nez Perce/Frank Church Wilderness area deepens anti-development politics
Basis for Assessment
Known libertarian/sovereignty politics; Oath Keeper and militia activity historically present; opposition to federal land management translates to anti-utility-scale sentiment; very low population
Political Risk Factors
Declining
Board Members
Skip Brandt (Chair); Denis Duman; Mark Frei

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator
Idaho Power Company (IPCO) / Avista Utilities (northern portions) / WECC
Utilities
Idaho Power Company (IPCO), Avista Utilities (Clearwater River valley)
State Permitting Process
County CUP required; state building code; BLM/USFS coordination for federal land adjacent projects
State Incentives
Eligible — Idaho Residential Clean Energy Credit; Idaho Power/Avista net metering

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects
None on record
Denied/Withdrawn Projects
1

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