Following years of setbacks, developers kick off community solar projects

Construction is officially rolling on Community Solar Act projects.

Last month, the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission announced that four community solar projects broke ground: one in Tularosa, two in Clovis and one in Belen.

The state’s community solar program is a way for solar developers to set up micro-scale solar farms and transmit the generated energy to people’s homes, whether it’s a single-family house or an apartment complex. It’s a way to bypass rooftop solar panel installation but still receive solar energy.

The projects have been long awaited since the state passed its Community Solar Act four years ago. It took years to select solar developers and finalize billing details with public utilities, which are required to participate in the program by transmitting energy on their preexisting power lines.

Anyone who opts in to a community solar program can save money on their monthly electric utility bills, and at least 30% of the generated energy from the total 47 approved solar projects must go to low-income communities. All of the developers have committed to sending more than half of all energy to low-income subscribers, according to the PRC.

“It’s great to see these community solar projects moving closer to completion, and I look forward to more facilities breaking ground in the near future,” Public Regulation Commissioner Gabriel Aguilera said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the New Mexico State Land Office is continuing to approve separate community solar projects on state land.

The state agency in September approved its first community solar lease, acting as an expansion to the legislatively approved Community Solar Act projects. In late February, SLO announced six new long-term community solar leases.

The projects will cumulatively generate 30 megawatts of energy across Doña Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Roosevelt and Valencia Counties, according to the SLO.

Public Lands Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard in a news release committed to holding more community solar auctions to generate and deliver “affordable, clean energy to as many New Mexicans as possible.”

Legislators are also taking up solar funding at the state Capitol. One of many renewable energy efforts, the House chamber passed a bill to create the Local Solar Access Fund on Saturday, which would set up a $20 million fund to send grants to local governments and tribal entities.

“This will allow our communities to save money, reduce their carbon footprint and equip community centers, water utilities and fire stations with resilient and stable sources of power,” said House Majority Leader Reena Szczepanski, D-Santa Fe, in a statement.