New Mexico Community Solar Program Unveils New Website

PRC News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC), along with InClime Inc., last week announced the launch of a website dedicated to the state’s nascent Community Solar Program as well as the release of a request for proposal (RFP) to build and operate local solar facilities, as the statewide program created to make renewable energy available to a broad spectrum of utility customers moves closer to implementation.

The website, www.csnewmexico.com, contains a user-friendly rundown of the Community Solar Program, including an overview of benefits and costs for potential subscribers – homeowners, renters, and organizations. The program will allow New Mexico residents to support solar energy and save on utility bills without having to install personal solar panels.

The program also creates a marketplace for Community Solar Subscription Agreements, which generally offer discounted rates on electricity, as well as supporting a local solar project. Further, 30 percent of power produced by the solar facilities will be allocated to qualified low-income households or low-income organizations, ensuring that the program provides cost-saving benefits to those customers.

“This is another milestone in moving Community Solar from dream to reality,” Commission Vice Chair Joseph Maestas said. “Keeping our momentum going is critical to bringing Community Solar to the people who need it most, those ratepayers unable to participate in traditional rooftop solar and, additionally, to low-income ratepayers in New Mexico.”

As the independent administrator for the Community Solar Program, InClime will oversee the RFP process for project solicitation, evaluate proposals, and recommend bid finalists to the PRC. Proposals must demonstrate that projects will have a maximum commitment of 40 percent of community solar facility capacity from a single subscriber, as well as a minimum commitment of 30 percent of community solar facility capacity from eligible low-income subscribers or low-income service organizations.

Proposals must also include a subscriber acquisition plan that details how the minimum commitment will be met and maintained throughout the duration of the project. More information about the RFP, including requirements, evaluation process and deadlines, can be found at http://www.csnewmexico.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/new-mexico-community-solar-rfp-2022_11_03.pdfw

InClime will also facilitate the participation of low-income customers, ensure that solar power developers comply with all rules and procedures, manage utility contracting and relations with solar power developers, and administer dispute resolution processes when needed. Community solar developers, or subscriber organizations, are expected to offer community solar subscriptions to customers when the Community Solar Program starts after April 2023 and once community solar projects are selected. New Mexico residents who have been offered a subscription ahead of project selection in April 2023 are encouraged to contact the program administrator at admin@csnewmexico.com.

InClime currently administers multiple renewable energy management programs as well as several grant, loan, and low-income programs that cover renewable energy and energy efficiency across the United States and Canada. For more information about the company, visit https://inclimesolutions.com/

“InClime is honored to contribute to New Mexico’s momentous progress in advancing access to renewable energy and, more importantly, the state’s dedication to equitable sharing of benefits with a focus on low-income residents or organizations,” said Miana Campbell, Community Solar Lead for InClime. “Our team is committed to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure a successful program launch while building a strong foundation for continued progress.”

The Community Solar Program was created by the Community Solar Act, which was signed into law by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in 2021. The Community Solar Act called on the PRC to draft and approve the rules of the community solar program.

The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC) regulates the utilities, telecommunications, and motor carrier industries to ensure fair and reasonable rates, and to assure reasonable and adequate services to the public as provided by law. The NMPRC also promotes public safety through the offices of Pipeline Safety Bureau and Transportation Division.

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