Solar panels. Courtesy/PES
STATE News:
SANTA FE – Using solar tax credit data, the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resource Department (EMNRD) reports that state residents have invested more than $30 million in this energy resource from 2009-2014 and Positive Energy Solar has installed the lion’s share of those residential rooftop panels.
“It’s clear from customer demand that New Mexicans want clean, affordable energy,” Positive Energy Solar CEO Regina Wheeler said. “What’s not clear is whether or not the state will continue to support this growing industry. The tax credits that helped support this boom in renewable energy are set to expire in 2016. At Positive Energy Solar, we are completely committed to helping homes and businesses reduce their energy costs and environmental impacts and we will continue to advocate for our policy-makers to do the same.”
The data set analyzed by EMNRD shows that since 2008, more than $134 million was invested by home and business owners who elected to install rooftop solar arrays that totaled 24 megawatts. Solar installation on homes and businesses increased more than 19 times in the past five years from 319 kilowatts to 5,922 kilowatts. In 2014 alone, $30 million was invested into rooftop solar systems by private citizens.
More than $23 million was spent on labor to install the systems creating jobs for trades people, engineers, managers and technical sales professionals. Doña Ana County led the state with 1.54 systems per 1,000 capita, and Santa Fe County followed with 0.87 systems per the same capita. These numbers do not include solar for schools, cities and utilities where at least another 5,000 kilowatts of solar have been installed in 2014 alone.
The solar tax credit for homeowners was enacted in 2006 to foster adoption of renewable energy. Data gleaned from solar tax credit applications from 2009 to 2014 was analyzed by the Energy Conservation and Management Division. The numbers show New Mexicans’ support for solar energy.
“This is not just about the future of Positive Energy Solar as a company,” Wheeler said. “This is about New Mexico as a state embracing one of our most abundant natural resources and using it to continue to create jobs and invest in our infrastructure. There are thousands of jobs within the state dependant on the continued adoption of solar energy. Tax credits should be extended in order to help create jobs and support homeowners and businesses take advantage of clean, affordable energy.”
An employee-owned company, Positive Energy Solar is the largest certified Benefits Corporation in New Mexico, a distinction earned for providing good wages, benefits, and growth opportunities for team members; contributing to schools and non profits; delivering 100 percent satisfaction to its customers; and selecting products for long term performance and low environmental impact. For more information, visit www.positiveenergysolar.com.
