U.S. Solar Siting Ordinances Mapped with AI Assistance

A machine-readable collection of documented solar siting ordinances at state and local levels across the United States. The data were compiled using the INFRA-COMPASS tool, which leverages GPT-4.1 models to automate the collection of local codes. This 2025 update builds upon a previous 2022 database of wind ordinances.

Use Cases

• Analyze regulatory constraints for Land Based Solar development by mapping ordinance text to jurisdiction shapes in the GeoPackage file.
• Validate the accuracy of AI-extracted ordinance data by cross-referencing the provided URLs for source documents.
• Study the geographic distribution of solar incentives and exclusion criteria documented in the ordinances.
• Integrate ordinance citations and legal text with spatial data for planning and siting systems.

Strengths

• Compiled using a specific INFRA-COMPASS tool version (v0.11.3) with documented LLM models (GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, GPT-4.1 nano).
• Includes multiple file formats (XLS, HTML, GPKG) for different analytical needs, such as spreadsheets and geospatial data.
• Provides URLs for ordinance source documents, enabling validation of the AI-generated summaries.
• Represents a 2025 update to a previously established database, indicating ongoing curation.

Limitations

• The GeoPackage file is formatted for a specific tool (NLR's reVX setbacks) and does not contain state-level regulations.
• Data collection relied on generative AI models which are noted to make mistakes, introducing potential for label noise or inaccuracies.
• The dataset's completeness and sample size (rows, columns) are unknown, making it difficult to assess scope.

Provenance

Source

Department of Energy via Data.gov.

Collection Method

Compiled using the Infrastructure Continuous Ordinance Mapping for Planning and Siting Systems (INFRA-COMPASS) tool, which automates collection with Large Language Models.

Time Range

2025 (with an update link to a 2022 version).

Freshness

Last updated on February 3, 2026.

Geography

United States, at state and local (e.g., county, township) levels.