Community Solar Program

S.B. 84, enacted in April 2021, established a community solar program in New Mexico. Community solar facilities can generate up to 5 MW of alternating current and must have at least 10 subscribers. A single subscriber can purchase no more than 40% of the electricity from a system, and at least 40% of each system's electricity must be reserved for smaller subscriptions of 25kW or less. Native community solar projects are exempt from these requirements. In addition, 30% of a system's electricity must be reserved for low-income subscribers. The program will open to the public in April 2023. Through April 2024, there are 200 MW available, split between the three major utilities. An additional 300 MW was added on November 1, 2024, for a total of 500 MW. The 300 MW will be available during the next solicitation process. In the future, the cap will be reviewed annually. Native and rural cooperative solar projects are exempt from the program cap.