Risk Grade

Good

Southern Idaho high-desert location with good solar resource; small county receptive to economic development; functional CUP pathway; Magic Valley regional trend positive

Assessment Snapshot

Population

5600

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 Lincoln County P&Z; supportive of economic development projects

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 — small agricultural county welcomes economic development; solar lease revenue attractive; conservative but pragmatic

Basis for Assessment

Southern Magic Valley fringe county; small population welcomes economic diversification; flat terrain and high irradiance make solar commercially attractive

Political Risk Factors

Stable

Board Members

Jeff Cornett (Chair); Kelly Heaton; Casey Anderson

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Denied/Withdrawn Projects

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Lincoln County, ID — Solar Development Risk Assessment