Douglas County
Douglas County, Wisconsin: solar permitting grade B (score 38/100, Moderate Risk). Score has been stable over the last 12 months. Primary-source ordinance and board-vote data on SitePath.
Public summary
| Grade | B · Moderate Risk · Score 38/100 |
| Population | 44,159 |
| Solar ordinance | Active, restrictive solar ordinance |
| Active moratorium | None on record |
| Regulatory trajectory | Stable (no material ordinance movement) |
| 12-month score movement | Stable |
| Last verified | 2026-05-02 |
Developer outlook
Douglas County presents moderate permitting risk; conditions are generally workable for utility-scale solar with standard due-diligence preparation.
Local intel
On file: energy-related meetings
- 2026-08-17SolarDouglas County Economic Development Director discussed a Memorandum of Understanding with rPlus Energies LLC regarding the Grey Bobcat Solar Project. · agenda
- 2026-05-11TransmissionDouglas County committees approved resolutions for a transmission line utility easement and health insurance renewal rates. · agenda
- 2026-03-30TransmissionDouglas County discussed an electric transmission line utility easement · agenda
Cities, towns & townships
In Wisconsin, towns hold their own zoning and land-use authority, so the rules for a site in Douglas County often depend on which of these governments it falls in.
- Superior city
- Amnicon town
- Bennett town
- Brule town
- Cloverland town
- Dairyland town
- Gordon town
- Hawthorne town
- Highland town
- Lakeside town
- Maple town
- Oakland town
- Parkland town
- Solon Springs town
- Summit town
- Superior town
- Wascott town
- Lake Nebagamon village
- Oliver village
- Poplar village
- Solon Springs village
- Superior village
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, incorporated places and county subdivisions with an active government.
Nearby counties
- Bayfield County · ≈36 miB39—
- Carlton County, MN · ≈38 miB41—
- Washburn County · ≈40 miB40—
- Burnett County · ≈47 miB39—
- Pine County, MN · ≈49 miB40—
- Sawyer County · ≈55 miB32—
Compare these counties side-by-side →
Douglas County ranks #28 of 72 ranked Wisconsin counties (1 = lowest permitting risk). Lowest-risk in Wisconsin: Sauk County (B · 31), Crawford County (B · 32), Sawyer County (B · 32). See all Wisconsin county grades →
Want the full record?
Setback distances, board vote histories, source documents, and ordinance amendments are available in the full county profile. The map is free; a walkthrough shows you the underlying record.
About this score
Every U.S. county is scored 0–100 on solar permitting risk (lower is friendlier to development). The grade is a weighted composite of compliance stringency, market saturation, regulatory trajectory, and data uncertainty. Every figure traces back to a primary government document. Read the full methodology →
Related reading
SitePath Intelligence is a research platform. Data verified as of 2026-05-02. Scores update on a quarterly review cycle.