Albuquerque Journal Article : OE Solar Paving the Path for Community Solar Projects in New Mexico

“‘Overwhelming Enthusiasm’: Hundreds of Community Solar Projects from Around New Mexico are under review”

Albuquerque-based OE Solar built this 1-megawatt community solar project, which came online in 2018, for Picuris Pueblo. Many more community solar projects will be built as a result of the Community Solar Act which the state Legislature passed in 2021. (Eddie Moore/Journal)

“By early spring, energy developers could begin signing up potential customers to participate in the state’s first community solar projects. InClime Inc. — a Maryland-based company that the Public Regulation Commission contracted last year to manage New Mexico’s new community solar program — is now sifting through 404 potential projects around the state that developers want to build in response to an InClime request for proposals, or RFP, that the company launched in November.

Taken together, those proposals represent more than 1,700 megawatts of solar generation, or nearly nine times more power than is currently permitted in the first stage of program development, during which total community solar output will be limited to a combined cap of 200 MW.

The initial response shows “overwhelming enthusiasm” among developers, said Miana Campbell, InClime’s community solar lead for New Mexico.

“The tremendous response to the community solar program RFP is an early indicator of program success,” Campbell said in a Feb. 20 statement announcing the bid results. “InClime is (now) meticulously evaluating all proposals.” The company expects to approve the first projects in April, allowing select proposals to move forward on building the initial 200 MW of generation.”

To read more on the Albuquerque Journal Website, click here , and for Frequently Asked Questions, and more information about community solar, click here