Native Community Solar Projects
The New Mexico Community Solar Act defines a “native community solar project” as “a community solar facility that is sited in New Mexico on the land of an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo and that is owned or operated by a subscriber organization that is an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo or a tribal entity or in partnership with a third-party entity.” The Act defines “Indian nation, tribe or pueblo” as “a federally recognized Indian nation, tribe or pueblo located wholly or partially in New Mexico.” “Partnership” requires that the Indian nation, tribe or pueblo have a significant ownership stake in the solar facility.
The Community Solar Act lists certain requirements for native community solar projects, such as mandating that native solar projects allocate 30% of available capacity to low-income subscribers. Click here to view the full text of the Community Solar Act.
The Community Solar Act also states that Native community solar projects are outside the purview of the New Mexico Community Solar Program. Organizations seeking to build a native community solar project will need to establish direct relationships with the relevant interconnecting utility.
Tribal Nations may benefit from community solar projects, as they can lead to economic development and lower energy costs.
