Risk Grade

Excellent

Eastern Idaho agricultural county with strong solar resource; experienced CUP pathway; agricultural landowners engaged in leasing; good Idaho Power transmission access

Assessment Snapshot

Population

8200

State Rank

Compliance

20%

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 Power County P&Z; experienced with utility-scale applications

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 — small agricultural community welcomes solar lease revenue; county pragmatic about economic development; American Falls area landowners active in solar leasing

Basis for Assessment

Multiple approved utility-scale projects; American Falls agricultural economy welcomes diversification; county conservative but economically pragmatic

Political Risk Factors

Stable

Board Members

Brent Adamson (Chair); Doug Pickett; Jade Sherwood

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

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

American Falls Solar (20 MW, 2017)

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

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Power County, ID — Solar Development Risk Assessment