Frequently Asked Questions

If a salesperson claims that you will save 28% on your entire utility bill, they are misrepresenting how the program works.  

Subscribing to a community solar project saves you money on electricity compared to what your electric utility charges you. Once your community solar subscription is active, you will receive Solar Bill Credits (SBC) on your electric bill that reduces what you owe to your utility. These credits are calculated by multiplying the value of the SBC by the amount of electricity generated by your portion of the community solar project. The website for the Community Solar Program posts the SBC rates along with links to each utility company here. The SBC rate calculations for customers in each utility territory and rate class have been approved by the Public Regulation Commission, but the SBC rates can vary over time as various components of the calculations, such as the cost of fuel to the utility, vary over time. The Community Solar Program website also posts the value of a much smaller Administrative Cost Rider that your utility is allowed to charge for the electricity you get through your community solar subscription. 

You will receive a second bill from your community solar provider for the electricity generated by your portion of the community solar project. That rate is included in the Disclosure Form that is required to be presented to you and signed before you sign a subscription contract. If a sales rep offers you a 28% discount, that means the bill they send you will be for the remaining 72% of the solar bill credits, so you effectively share the value of those credits with them. In total, you will see a benefit of 28% of the value of the credits on your utility bill, saving you money overall. Your specific savings and subscription terms will be spelled out on your disclosure form.  

Yes, the New Mexico Community Solar Program is a legitimate program, regulated by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, and administered by InClime, Inc. You can find more information about the program on its website, csnewmexico.com, including details on the legislation that governs the program, which is the Community Solar Act, the Commission’s Community Solar Rule, and information about how you can save money and subscribe. 

Note: Subscriber Organizations are the companies that have been selected to build community solar facilities in New Mexico under the New Mexico Community Solar Program. Subscription Managers are companies hired by Subscriber Organizations to sign up members of the public who are interested in subscribing. 

While we are unable to verify individual door-to-door salespeople, there are key pieces of information to look for.  

1. Every salesperson should be wearing a name tag identifying the company they represent. 
2. Some Subscriber Organizations and Subscription Managers have agreed to have their information listed on the New Mexico Community Solar Program website (https://csnewmexico.com/customers/find-a-community-solar-provider/). These Subscriber Organizations and Subscription Managers are verified to be working with the program.  
3. Prior to signing a subscription contract, salespeople are required to present you with: 
   1. A program flyer explaining the program (https://csnewmexico.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/NM-Community-Solar-Program-Flyer_6.5.24.pdf) 
   2. A Disclosure Form (sample: https://csnewmexico.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Subscriber-Disclosure-and-Consent-Form-Sample-4.28.25.pdf) which will include your name, address, subscription size, cost, contract duration, and the contact information of your Subscription Manager. They are required to provide you with an opportunity to review and understand the information on the form, and they must obtain your signature on this form before you enter into any agreement to become a subscriber.  
   3. A Disclosure Form Appendix (sample: https://csnewmexico.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/DF-Appendix-Sample-6.5.24.pdf) with details on who to contact if you have questions about your subscription. 

In order to determine the subscription size you are eligible for, the salesperson must verify your usage history to determine your average annual energy consumption. The operator of any facility must, by law, size your subscription to match, as closely as possible, your average annual energy consumption. Additionally, the salesperson will obtain your utility account number from your utility bill so that they can accurately report your subscription to the utility.   

Most Subscriber Organizations and Subscription Managers require automatic withdrawal for the monthly subscription cost. Therefore, they require a credit card or bank account information to be provided upon signing up for a subscription. 

Your Disclosure Form Appendix includes contact information for your Subscriber Organization or Subscription Manager. You will need to reach out directly to your Subscriber Organization or Subscription Manager to cancel or modify your subscription. 

The three major electric utility companies (PNM, SPS, and EPE) are all working with the New Mexico Community Solar Program. However, the door-to-door salespeople do not work for the utilities. They work for Subscription Managers, who represent Subscriber Organizations, or the Subscriber Organization themselves. 

Any fees associated with your subscription will be outlined on the Disclosure Form which is required to be provided to you and signed prior to signing your subscription contract.