University of New Mexico Bureau of Business & Economic Research study finds community solar could support 3,760 total jobs and generate over $517 million in short-term economic impact for New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM – A new study conducted by the University of New Mexico Bureau of Business & Economic Research (BBER) found that the construction and operation of new community solar facilities could generate an estimated $517 million in economic benefits and support more than 3,760 high-quality jobs in various sectors across New Mexico over the next five years.

According to the study, community solar projects could generate over $2.9 million in tax revenues annually for the state, revenue that would be funded by private companies and not require increased taxes or state investment. The study also calculated impact at the county level and found the average economic benefit per county over a 20-year period is almost $15 million in economic output and 117 new jobs.

“Community Solar has the potential to contribute substantially to New Mexico’s economy,” according to the BBER report. “As a new application of renewable energy initiatives in New Mexico, community solar projects could create opportunities for workers affected by the closure of energy plants reliant on fossil fuels. In addition to the environmental benefits associated with renewable energy, these projects can potentially provide economic benefits through jobs creation and the expansion of fiscal revenues.”

According to the analysis, the top statewide sectors expected to benefit from community solar include construction, restaurants, professional services, real estate, retail and healthcare which have been among the hardest hit in the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This study makes clear that community solar would create a significant economic windfall across New Mexico,” said Kevin Cray, Mountain West Regional Director for Coalition for Community Solar Access. “At a time when state budgets are depleted and regular New Mexicans are struggling financially, community solar offers legislators an opportunity to

https://www.grantcountybeat.com/d89c7bf3-34f9-4aa0-9f13-bd71c11dab0a" alt="page1image53974272" width="59.904000" height="0.840000" />

immediately stimulate the economy, save all ratepayers money, and help accelerate the state’s transition to renewable energy, all without costing taxpayers a dime.”

Legislation pending in both the state House of Representatives and Senate would authorize the creation of community solar projects, which refer to small, local solar facilities shared by multiple community subscribers who receive credit on their electricity bills for their share of the power produced. Participation in community solar is voluntary and passage of the legislation would not increase taxes or state investment.

While 20 other states as well as the District of Columbia permit such projects, New Mexico utility rules prevent similar installations across the state.

Senate Bill 84 and House Bill 106 which are being sponsored by Senator Elizabeth “Liz” Stefanics (D- Bernalillo, Lincoln, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Torrance, Valencia) and Senator Linda M. Lopez (D-Bernalillo) on the Senate side and Representative Patricia Roybal Caballero (D- Bernalillo) on the House side, would eliminate regulatory red tape and create a community solar program that enables New Mexico businesses and families to sign up for community solar projects, regardless of their income level or whether they own their home.

“The financial fallout from the COVID-19 crisis is laying bare the everyday crisis of unaffordable, and yet essential, electricity in New Mexico,” said Mayane Barudin, Interior West Director & Tribal Liaison at Vote Solar, a member of the SOLution New Mexico coalition. “The individual, local and state financial benefits laid out in this report demonstrate how community solar can play an important role in addressing the very real tradeoffs that many New Mexicans are being forced to make.”

According to the BBER report: “Community solar projects not only offer a way for low-income residents and non-homeowners to purchase their electricity from renewable resources but also can benefit homeowners and businesses who are unable to install solar panels on their property. Community solar projects also provide lease dollars for fallow lands. Many renewable installations require open, unobstructed space to maximize energy production; however, as community solar installations are smaller in scale, their development could provide benefits to landowners who might be overlooked in larger utility projects.”

“Community solar offers a winning strategy for our state: it supports our communities in job growth and tax revenues, our tribal entities in creating economic opportunities, and our individuals and businesses in access to affordable solar energy. These benefits, confirmed by this study, should encourage our politicians to finally say yes to community solar legislation,” said Beth Beloff, Executive Director of the Coalition of Sustainable Communities New Mexico.

University of New Mexico Bureau of Business & Economic Research conducted the study in December 2020 on behalf of Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA), a member of SOL- ution New Mexico, a local coalition looking to bring community solar to New Mexico.

The full report can be found below.

About the SOLution New Mexico Coalition

SOLution New Mexico aims to help increase access to solar energy to all New Mexicans and rebuild New Mexico’s economy and rural communities with clean, locally produced community solar. The coalition is made up of a diverse group of local industry, agriculture and clean energy advocates who are calling on New Mexico legislators to pass community solar legislation that would use private investment to increase access to solar energy and boost New Mexico’s economy. Visit https://www.sol-utionnm.org/ to learn more about SOL-ution New Mexico.

{pdf}mypdfs/FINAL-Community-Solar-Impact-Report[3].pdf{/pdf}

Content on the Beat

WARNING: All articles and photos with a byline or photo credit are copyrighted to the author or photographer. You may not use any information found within the articles without asking permission AND giving attribution to the source. Photos can be requested and may incur a nominal fee for use personally or commercially.

Disclaimer: If you find errors in articles not written by the Beat team but sent to us from other content providers, please contact the writer, not the Beat. For example, obituaries are always provided by the funeral home or a family member. We can fix errors, but please give details on where the error is so we can find it. News releases from government and non-profit entities are posted generally without change, except for legal notices, which incur a small charge.

NOTE: If an article does not have a byline, it was written by someone not affiliated with the Beat and then sent to the Beat for posting.

Images: We have received complaints about large images blocking parts of other articles. If you encounter this problem, click on the title of the article you want to read and it will take you to that article's page, which shows only that article without any intruders. 

New Columnists: The Beat continues to bring you new columnists. And check out the old faithfuls who continue to provide content.

Newsletter: If you opt in to the Join GCB Three Times Weekly Updates option above this to the right, you will be subscribed to email notifications with links to recently posted articles.

Submitting to the Beat

Those new to providing news releases to the Beat are asked to please check out submission guidelines at https://www.grantcountybeat.com/about/submissions. They are for your information to make life easier on the readers, as well as for the editor.

Advertising: Don't forget to tell advertisers that you saw their ads on the Beat.

Classifieds: We have changed Classifieds to a simpler option. Check periodically to see if any new ones have popped up. Send your information to editor@grantcountybeat.com and we will post it as soon as we can. Instructions and prices are on the page.

Editor's Notes

It has come to this editor's attention that people are sending information to the Grant County Beat Facebook page. Please be aware that the editor does not regularly monitor the page. If you have items you want to send to the editor, please send them to editor@grantcountybeat.com. Thanks!

Here for YOU: Consider the Beat your DAILY newspaper for up-to-date information about Grant County. It's at your fingertips! One Click to Local News. Thanks for your support for and your readership of Grant County's online news source—www.grantcountybeat.com

Feel free to notify editor@grantcountybeat.com if you notice any technical problems on the site. Your convenience is my desire for the Beat.  The Beat totally appreciates its readers and subscribers!  

Compliance: Because you are an esteemed member of The Grant County Beat readership, be assured that we at the Beat continue to do everything we can to be in full compliance with GDPR and pertinent US law, so that the information you have chosen to give to us cannot be compromised.