Introduction

Welcome to the New Mexico Community Solar Program, where you have the opportunity to support solar energy without the need for rooftop panels. Community solar subscriptions offer a sustainable and affordable way for individuals and organizations to support renewable energy and reduce their electricity bills. Let’s explore how community solar works, the benefits it offers, and the roles of key stakeholders involved in the process.

What is Community Solar?

Community solar presents an innovative approach to harnessing solar energy. Unlike traditional residential solar installations limited to individual homes, community solar projects operate on a larger scale, with a single off-site project capable of powering hundreds of homes or businesses. An off-site installation means that the solar panels and infrastructure are centralized in a specific location, rather than scattered across individual residential properties. This central site could be on private or public land, spacious rooftops, or other suitable areas, optimizing solar energy generation and distribution to multiple homes and businesses within the community.

The true power of community solar lies in the collaborative effort of pooling resources and sharing the electricity generated. By doing so, entire communities gain access to clean energy, enabling a single community solar project to make a significant positive impact on the environment and the local community by powering hundreds of homes with renewable energy.

Who can participate in Community Solar?

For many customers, going solar is a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to buy electricity. But some homeowners are prevented from installing solar on their homes due to credit scores, the size of their roof, the direction the roof is facing, the strength of sunlight, and so on. Due to these factors and others, community solar is well adapted to address this market. 
  

Community solar allows everyone to benefit from solar energy, even if they can’t put panels on their own rooftop. In areas where solar power is less expensive than traditionally generated electricity, consumers can save money on their monthly bills. If subscribers move to a new home within the same utility service territory or county, they can typically continue to benefit from their community solar share. 

Much like residential community solar participants, organizations (non-profits, businesses, low-income qualifying facilities) can participate in community solar. Community solar subscriptions are by utility account so even if you don’t own your building you can still participate in community solar by signing up a property location you may not own. 
  
Subscriptions by organizations tend to provide better monthly discounts since your subscription may be larger than a traditional residential subscription. With that in mind there are generally stricter cancellation terms, including a cancellation fee as well as a more aggressive term length of your contract. For a large enough subscription, these terms can be negotiable. It is also a good idea to shop around to ensure the offer has the best terms for your particular situation. 

Community Solar Subscriber Managers

The New Mexico Community Solar Program currently has 45 participating projects.

Below is a list of subscription managers that have shared their contact information. Please note that this list will be updated periodically. To subscribe to a community solar project, it must be in your utility territory.

  1. Inclusive Sustainability: Community solar allows individual residents and organizations to participate in the renewable energy movement, regardless of their ability to install solar panels on their own properties. It opens up access to clean energy to renters, homeowners, small businesses, and nonprofits alike.
  2. Shared Savings: Subscribers to community solar projects may enjoy cost savings on their electricity bills. Solar energy is often offered at a discounted rate compared to traditional utility prices, leading to savings for participants.
  3. Environmental Impact: Embracing community solar allows communities to make a significant contribution toward reducing the carbon footprint of their utility. By doing so, they actively participate in creating a cleaner and more sustainable future for generations to come.

Costs vary by project, subscription type, and subscription size. When you enroll in a community solar program you will sign a subscription agreement that will dictate the terms of your enrollment. 

When you enroll in community solar, you are subscribing to a portion of a large community solar project. Each month, your subscription will generate electricity. As a subscriber, you will earn bill credits on your electricity bill for the amount of electricity generated by your portion of the solar project in the previous month. Since these rates are per kWh, the amount that you save on your electric bill will vary from month to month, depending on how much electricity was generated in a given month. 

Community solar is known by various names, such as: 

  • Roofless Solar: As it doesn’t require solar panels on individual rooftops.
  • Solar Gardens: Emphasizing the communal aspect and collective growth of solar energy.
  • Solar Farms: Highlighting the large-scale nature of these solar installations.
  • Shared Solar: Underscoring the cooperative effort and sharing of solar energy within the community. 

No matter the name, by enrolling in a community solar project, you can make a significant impact and enjoy additional benefits of clean, renewable energy.  

To benefit from the New Mexico Community Solar Program, you will need to subscribe to an approved community solar project.  Subscriptions provide an opportunity for individuals and organizations, such as nonprofits and small businesses, to receive benefits even if they cannot install solar panels on their own property.  

The process typically begins with a Subscriber Organization, also known as the developer, initiating the community solar project. Interested participants can sign up for a subscription, becoming a member of the community solar project. Subscribers usually enter into a long-term agreement called a subscription, which can range from several years to several decades. Remember- there are multiple companies offering community solar subscriptions. To make sure you are signing up for the subscription that works best for you, make sure to compare offers.  

Once subscribed, each subscriber will receive credits on their electric bill that are proportional to their subscription size. Your subscriptions size will not exceed your average annual electricity usage.  

Beyond supporting the transition to a cleaner local grid, subscribers can often see savings after enrolling in community solar. To save money with community solar, make sure that the price you pay for the electricity produced by your community solar subscription is less than the price you pay to your utility.

Community solar programs are designed to be inclusive, allowing underserved communities, renters, homeowners, and businesses to participate regardless of their property’s solar potential. By pooling resources, community solar makes clean energy accessible to a broader audience and contributes to the overall transition toward renewable energy. 

Overall, community solar subscriptions provide an avenue for individuals and businesses to support renewable energy, enjoy cost savings on electricity, and contribute to a more sustainable future without the need for installing solar panels on their own properties. 

The Subscription Agreement is a binding contract between you – the subscriber – and the subscription manager or subscriber organization of the community solar project. This agreement sets out the terms and conditions of your subscription, including vital details such as your subscription size, commitment duration, billing procedures, and other program-specific information. It’s crucial to understand that the Subscription Agreement is a legally binding contract solely between you and the subscription manager. The Program Administrator is not a party to this agreement. 

Your subscription manager will be your primary point of contact for any inquiries or concerns related to your participation in a community solar project. They are the party responsible for ensuring that all the terms specified in the agreement are adhered to and are there to provide continuous support throughout your involvement in the program. 

Before you sign your Subscription Agreement, it’s essential to thoroughly review and comprehend the Subscription Agreement. This document forms the foundation of your relationship with the subscription manager and governs your participation in the community solar project. By doing so, you can enter into the program confidently, knowing the expectations and benefits that come with being a valued participant. 

When considering a community solar subscription, it’s important to be familiar with the various roles that play a part in your community solar subscription. Let’s take a closer look at these roles: 

  • Subscriber Organization: The organization that is responsible for orchestrating the entire community solar project. They undertake the planning, design, and construction of the solar facility. Essentially, they bring the vision of the project to reality, ensuring the project benefits both the environment and the community.
  • Utility: The utility serves as the local energy provider and facilitates the distribution of electricity. In the context of community solar, the utility plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the solar-generated power is seamlessly integrated into the existing power grid. They are the link between the solar facility and your local grid.
  • Subscriber Aggregator: This role involves a company or organization that acts as an intermediary between individual subscribers, like you, and the community solar project. Their main purpose is to aggregate subscriptions from multiple participants. By consolidating subscribers, they streamline the administrative processes, making it convenient for everyone to be part of the community solar initiative.
  • Subscription Manager: The subscription manager oversees the day-to-day aspects of your individual community solar subscription. Their responsibilities include tracking your solar credits, managing billing arrangements, and ensuring you receive the full benefits of your participation. Think of them as your dedicated point of contact, guiding you through the subscription journey. 

By understanding the roles of the subscriber organization, utility, subscriber aggregator, and subscription manager, you can make informed decisions about participating in a community solar project. Each of these roles collaborates to create a seamless experience to deliver your community solar benefits. 

It’s important to keep in mind that subscription managers hold a vital position in community solar programs serving as the primary point of contact and support for subscribers like you. Their responsibilities encompass various aspects, including assisting with enrollment, addressing billing inquiries, and providing account updates. With their expertise, they aim to offer valuable assistance, making it easier for you to understand the intricacies of your community solar participation, effectively track your savings, and enjoy a positive experience. 

If you have any questions or concerns related to your subscription, we recommend reaching out to your subscription manager. They should be able to provide further clarification and support. 

Should you ever feel that your subscription manager is acting unethically please report them and their behavior to the Program Administrator.  

When participating in a community solar program, there are certain expectations and factors to keep in mind: 

  • Long Lead Time: At Program initiation, it’s important to understand that there is typically a significant lead time between enrolling in a community solar program and receiving credits for solar energy. This is because building solar projects can take over a year to complete.
  • Communication from Subscription Manager: Your subscription manager should keep you informed about the progress of the project’s development milestones. 
  •  No Impact Until Operational: It’s important to note that your participation and associated benefits, such as receiving credits, will not begin until the community solar project is operational. Until the project is up and running, there will be no impact on your utility bill or electricity consumption.

By understanding these aspects, you can set realistic expectations for your community solar experience. Remember to stay in contact with your subscription manager, who will provide updates and ensure a smooth transition once the project is operational. 

Be a Smart Consumer

To make informed decisions, we urge you to take a moment and explore our comprehensive Consumer Protection Hub before signing any subscription agreement for the New Mexico Community Solar Program.

We understand that choosing a Community Solar subscription can be overwhelming, and that’s precisely why we’ve developed the Consumer Protection Hub. This resource provides you with essential details such as mandated disclosures and guidance on how to compare various offers.

Community Solar Glossary

Familiarize yourself with the terms used in the Community Solar Industry.