Community Solar
Community solar projects are large solar installations that share the cost saving benefits of solar among multiple customers. Community solar customers, also called subscribers, will receive credits on their electric bill that reduce what they owe to their electric utility. Those customers will also pay a separate bill to their community solar provider.
Learn more about the benefits of community solar.
Low-Income Participation
Community solar extends the benefits of solar to people who are unable or choose not to install their own solar systems, either because they live in an apartment, or cannot or choose not to pay the upfront cost. The New Mexico Community Solar Program prioritizes low-income participation and requires that each project fill at least 30% of its available space with low-income subscribers.
Many projects have committed to offering greater savings for low-income customers.
Learn more about qualifying as a low-income subscriber here.
Impact on New Mexico
New Mexico's Community Solar Program will help modernize and decarbonize New Mexico's electrical grid as well as provide savings for subscribers.
A University of New Mexico study in January 2021 found that the community solar program will lead to the following benefits:
- The Program will generate $517 million in economic benefits over 5 years
- The Program will create 3,760 high-quality jobs in various sectors over 5 years
- Each county in New Mexico will benefit from $15 million in economic output and 117 new jobs over a 20-year period.
Learn more about the policy & program background here.
