Risk Grade

Excellent

Fastest-growing county in Oregon (204k+); excellent solar irradiance; progressive Bend governance; high-income tech-oriented population drives rooftop and commercial solar demand; strong state policy alignment; EFU constraints manageable given supportive county

Assessment Snapshot

Population

204390

State Rank

Compliance

30%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

50 ft from property lines in EFU zones; 25 ft urban zones

Zoning Mechanism

EFU, Forest (F), Rural Residential-10 (RR-10), Multiple Use Agricultural (MUA-10), Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) zones; Bend, Redmond, Sisters, La Pine urban zones

Acreage Caps

No county acreage cap

Spacing Rules

None specified

Size Restrictions

ODOE >35 MW; county CUP for commercial-scale; City of Bend streamlined solar permit; HB 4023 agrivoltaic on EFU

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Supportive — progressive Bend community strongly favors renewable energy; outdoor recreation culture and climate awareness drive high public support; Central Oregon LandWatch supports solar on appropriate sites; one denial involved scenic ridge protection

Basis for Assessment

Deschutes County Planning Commission records 2019-2024; Bend Bulletin newspaper; Central Oregon LandWatch reports; OregonLive coverage; PacifiCorp interconnection queue

Political Risk Factors

Improving — progressive Bend urban influence driving supportive renewable energy policies; county board chair Phil Chang has strong climate/energy background; positive long-term trajectory

Board Members

Tony DeBone (Chair), Patti Adair, Phil Chang

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

Pacific Power (PacifiCorp); BPA (East Cascades grid; Grizzly–Midpoint transmission); Central Oregon electric zone

Utilities

Pacific Power (PacifiCorp), Central Oregon Electric Cooperative (rural Deschutes County)

State Permitting Process

ORS 215 EFU CUP; ODOE Energy Facility Siting Council >35 MW; Deschutes County Title 18; HB 4023 agrivoltaic provisions

State Incentives

Eligible — Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program; Energy Trust of Oregon Solar Within Reach and Commercial programs; multiple residential rebate tiers

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

Bear Creek Solar (10 MW, 2018)

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

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Deschutes County, OR — Solar Development Risk Assessment