30.5

Risk Grade

Excellent

Grade A: No moratorium. Strong solar resource (Chihuahuan Desert). El Paso Electric actively expanding portfolio (Felina operational, San Elizario groundbreaking 2024, 100 MW + storage proposed). WECC grid separate from ERCOT — different interconnection queue and regulatory pathway (EPE/PUCT). Fort Bliss energy community status [TBV] could unlock ITC adder.

Assessment Snapshot

Population

865657

State Rank

#16

Compliance

35%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

No specific moratorium information available.

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

City of El Paso building code: height limits, encroachment restrictions for rooftop solar. County-level: none codified.

Zoning Mechanism

City of El Paso building permit + solar license for larger systems. County unincorporated areas: by-right. Utility-scale development utility-driven via EPE IRP.

Acreage Caps

None at county level.

Density Caps

None.

Spacing Rules

None.

Size Restrictions

None at county level.

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Moderate — utility-driven development generally accepted; some opposition groups noted ("El Pasoans Fighting..." [TBV context]); EPE regulatory proceedings are primary development pathway.

Basis for Assessment

El Paso city is county seat; WECC grid (not ERCOT) — Western Interconnection; El Paso Electric (EPE) regulated utility as primary solar driver; Fort Bliss military installation; County Judge; D-leaning metro county; Chihuahuan Desert irradiance among highest in Texas.

Political Risk Factors

Improving

Board Members

County Judge Ricardo A. Samaniego, Commissioner Pct. 1 Jackie Butler, Commissioner Pct. 2 David Stout, Commissioner Pct. 3 Iliana Holguin, Commissioner Pct. 4 Sergio Coronado

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

WECC (Western Electricity Coordinating Council) — El Paso Electric territory; NOT ERCOT

Utilities

El Paso Electric (EPE) — regulated utility, None (EPE is monopoly utility in El Paso area)

State Permitting Process

No state siting board for solar in Texas. PUCT regulates utilities; ERCOT manages interconnection for ERCOT service territory (most of state); SPP governs Panhandle/northwest TX. County Commissioners Court governs unincorporated areas under Texas Local Government Code. Many rural TX counties have NO zoning authority — solar is essentially by-right without county approval requirement. HB 2527 (2023) requires counties with solar ordinances to provide a 'reasonable' permitting framework. No statewide preemption prevents county restrictions. ERCOT interconnection queue is severely congested — grid study delays of 2-4+ years common.

State Incentives

Texas has no state RPS mandate. Key incentives: Federal ITC (30% base + bonus adders for energy communities/domestic content). Property tax abatement via Chapter 312/313 successor frameworks (county-level negotiation required). ERCOT wholesale market provides strong merchant revenue stack. No state income tax benefits developer HQ decisions. USDA REAP available for rural projects.

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

Felina Solar — 150 MW; Fabens area; largest solar EPE receives power from; OPERATIONAL. San Elizario Community Solar (El Paso Electric) — 10 MW; groundbreaking Jan 24, 2024. EPE 100 MW Solar + 100 MW Battery Storage — proposed; EPE regulatory filing Dec 2025 [TBV approval]. Buena Vista — 120 MW, 950 acres, Chaparral NM (near El Paso County border; WECC territory).

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

None documented.

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El Paso County, TX — Solar Development Risk Assessment