In a milestone for renewable energy in the Land of Enchantment, Affordable Solar has initiated construction on New Mexico’s first community solar project. The project named Cuidando Los Niños Community Solar Project, in Valencia County. It aims to increase access to renewable energy for New Mexico residents and fund community-driven sustainability projects across the state.
This community solar program is a joint venture with Albuquerque-based Gridworks, a top engineering, procurement, and construction company. Additionally, the project’s title is a tribute to the non-profit group Cuidando Los Niños, which is “committed to serving children and families who are homeless.”
More on projects like the Cuidando Los Niños Community Solar Project
The legislative ground for such projects was paved with the signing into law of the Community Solar Act (SB84) in April 2021. The legislation allows electric utility customers to subscribe to renewable facilities less than 5 megawatts (MW) of energy. This enables subscribers to offset their monthly energy expenses through utility bill credits. Community solar is particularly useful for people, businesses, and non-profits that are not able to install individual solar systems. Furthermore, it helps to democratize access to clean renewable energy.
Worthy of mention for the Cuidando Los Niños Community Solar Project is the commitment to social equity. Fifty percent of the energy generated by the project is being reserved to reduce electricity bills for qualified low-income residents. This opens up a wide socioeconomic cross-section to the benefits of renewable energy.
Project Overview
Location: Valencia County, New Mexico
Project Capacity: 2MW
Developer: Clean Energy Collective
Contractor: Affordable Solar
Affordable Solar has purchased seven community solar projects with a total capacity of 35 MW. Furthermore, collectively the projects will replace the energy consumption equivalent to approximately 15,000 homes, a substantial boost to the state’s clean energy portfolio.
Dylan Connelly, Affordable Solar Project Developer, stated: “After nearly four years of hard work, we are ecstatic to begin construction on this historic project and to play a role in bringing renewable energy to communities across New Mexico. This project reflects our commitment to clean energy. Moreover, it highlights our dedication to giving back to the communities where we live and work.”
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Consistent with its community-oriented philosophy, Affordable Solar has pledged financial support to Cuidando Los Niños. A donation was provided in honor of the awarding of the project. In addition, a donation forthcoming when the project is finished, slated for early summer 2025.
