The Shallow Basket Energy Solar + Storage Project is a utility-scale solar and battery storage development located in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. The project is designed to generate solar electricity and provide grid support through integrated energy storage capacity.

National Renewable Solutions (NRS) announced the commercial launch of the project, which includes approximately 140 MWac of solar generation combined with 50 MW of battery storage.

According to project details, the facility is developed on land owned by the Jicarilla Apache Nation. The project’s electricity output is contracted under a wholesale supply agreement with Guzman Energy.

The development reflects a broader trend in solar energy projects that incorporate battery storage systems alongside generation capacity to support grid stability and energy delivery. Older projects like the Escalante Solar plant which is also in New Mexico and was commissioned in 2024 lacks a battery storage facility.

Other Projects

The Shallow Basket Energy Solar + Storage project is not the only major renewable energy project that has made recent advancements in New Mexico. Recently, the construction of 270MW solar + storage projects by DESRI broke ground in San Juan County in Mexico. DESRI, a US-based renewables developer-operator announced the project’s commencement earlier this week. The scope entails two projects in New Mexico totaling 270MW of solar and 180MW of battery storage. Moreover, the firm noted the project would be implemented alongside investment partner Tierra Adentro Growth Capital.

Local Communities and Cooperatives to Benefit

According to Jeffrey M. Heit, Founding Managing Director at Guzman Energy, the new facility adds significant capacity to the company’s renewable portfolio. Customers including the Jicarilla Apache Nation and Kit Carson Electric Cooperative will have access to a reliable, local power source that supports long-term energy needs.

Financing and Strategic Partnerships

Following its initial project financing announcement in November 2024, NRS successfully refinanced the project debt with MUFG Bank, NORD/LB, Siemens Financial Services, and Zions Bancorporation on improved terms — a move set to strengthen the company’s growth trajectory.

The project uses Tesla’s grid-forming technology and Megapack 2XL battery units, manufactured in Lathrop, California, with construction handled by Albuquerque-based Gridworks.

Boosting Energy Reliability for 38,000 Homes

The Shallow Basket Energy facility is expected to power approximately 38,000 homes annually. Its battery storage system will store excess energy during peak solar generation and dispatch it during high-demand hours, improving grid stability and reliability in the region.

Shallow Basket Energy Project Factsheet