Conditional use · Planning application
149-megawatt solar plant on 981 acres approved with conditions
The county Planning and Zoning Commission approved the project 5-1 on July 23, with conditions. It calls for about 317,912 panels, a substation and a switchyard. Construction must start by the end of 2031, and a decommissioning bond is required.
From the filing
The application's description as it appears in Elmore County's record. See the official record
Soles Rest Solar LLC proposes a solar power plant on about 981 acres of farm and range land in western Elmore County, next to Interstate 84. It would have about 317,912 solar panels in six array areas, generating up to 149 megawatts of electricity, plus a substation, an operations building, and a 2.64-acre switchyard to be transferred to Idaho Power. Construction would start in 2029 and take about 20 months.
Conditional Use Permit with Master Site Plan for a solar power generation facility and associated substation
Project name on file: Soles Rest Solar
Timeline
July 23, 2026
Approved
Elmore County Planning and Zoning Commission: Approved (minutes).
July 23, 2026
Public hearing: Elmore County Planning and Zoning Commission
April 30, 2026
Workshop: Elmore County Planning and Zoning Commission
July 21, 2025
Application filed
Documents
Site plans
- Download Exhibits 1 and 2 to conditional use permit application
Agency sign-offs and comments on the application, plus Elmore County's Dec. 19, 2025 completeness determination for the Soles Rest Solar project, which found the application incomplete.
July 19, 2026 · 639 pages · 66.2 MB · Exhibits
Staff reports
- Download Staff report for solar facility conditional use permit
Public hearing staff report for a conditional use permit with master site plan for a solar generation facility and substation on about 981 acres across seven parcels.
July 19, 2026 · 36 pages · 500 KB · Staff Report
Decisions
- Download Findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order
Planning and Zoning Commission decision approving a conditional use permit with master site plan for a 981-acre solar generating facility, substation, and switchyard, heard July 23, 2026.
Aug. 23, 2026 · 41 pages · 1.1 MB · Decision