Risk Grade

Good

Magic Valley solar hub with experienced P&Z; agriculture-solar coexistence model well established; high irradiance; multiple projects approved and operating; Idaho Power grid access

Assessment Snapshot

Population

25500

State Rank

Compliance

25%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

100 ft from occupied dwellings; 50 ft from property lines (standard CUP condition)

Zoning Mechanism

Conditional Use Permit via Jerome County P&Z; experienced staff; streamlined for routine Magic Valley utility-scale

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

Favorable — Magic Valley dairy/ag community recognizes solar economic benefits; county commission pragmatic; some of Idaho's highest solar concentration

Basis for Assessment

Dense Magic Valley solar development pattern; Jerome County at center of Idaho utility-scale solar industry; agricultural landowner solar lease culture well established

Political Risk Factors

Stable

Board Members

Cary Hammons (Chair); John Wadsworth; Dale Bartholomew

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; FERC interconnection for utility-scale

State Incentives

Eligible — Idaho Residential Clean Energy Credit; Idaho Power net metering (IPC Order 34509)

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

Cat Creek Energy Jerome County Solar Farm (90 MW, 2023)

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

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Jerome County, ID — Solar Development Risk Assessment