Sunshine in the Desert: Bringing Community Solar to New Mexico
PVTIME – The Land of Enchantment will soon be the land of solar. Thanks to a new partnership, CleanChoice Energy will soon be bringing community solar to New Mexico.
Community solar is a new way to receive some of the financial benefits of solar energy—without having to install your own solar panels. With community solar, the energy generated by one solar installation is shared by homeowners, renters, businesses, churches, and schools in the local community who “subscribe” to that solar farm. Typical community solar subscribers save up to 10% off their annual electricity costs! You can learn more about community solar in this blog post.
At CleanChoice Energy, our mission is to switch as many American homes and businesses to clean, renewable energy as possible and make renewable energy accessible for everybody. That’s because we want to reduce the impact of global climate change so we can all live cleaner, healthier lives. Therefore, we are thrilled to expand our solar development work to New Mexico by partnering with BOW Renewables to develop community solar projects for the New Mexico market.
Last spring, New Mexico became the 21st state in the country to enact a community solar policy. Community solar brings environmental and financial benefits to New Mexico residents by providing discounted energy and eliminating the primary barriers to rooftop solar, including upfront costs, installation obstacles, property ownership, or simply having a suitable roof.
New Mexico has amongst the highest solar energy potential in the country—ranking in the top three states for solar potential, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Community solar allows all New Mexicans to benefit from the state’s abundant solar resources.
Community solar projects also create exciting new opportunities for landowners. By leasing their land for community solar projects, landowners can put underutilized land to work and earn additional leasing revenue.
Tom Matzzie, CEO and founder of CleanChoice, recently raved about the new expansion into New Mexico: “Community solar is a fantastic new program for New Mexico residents and landowners. It can help residents lower their energy bills, expand clean energy, and create jobs. We’re thrilled to be working with BOW Renewables to help launch New Mexico’s community solar program. Solar development offers a fantastic opportunity for New Mexican landowners to generate revenue by utilizing depleted portions of their land for solar farms, ” he said. “Our mission is to make the benefits of clean energy available to everyone–and community solar is a major part of achieving that goal.”
CleanChoice Energy empowers people and businesses to easily access climate solutions through retail clean energy, community solar, carbon removal, and solar development. CleanChoice uses data-empowered technology to offer consumers easy, impactful climate solutions so they can cut emissions, support renewable energy and live cleaner lives. Founded in 2012, CleanChoice has become one of the fastest-growing businesses in America, as ranked on the Inc 5000 and Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500™. CleanChoice Energy is a Certified B Corporation and is certified with the highest available rating by Green America’s Green Business Network. Visit our website to learn more or sign up for clean energy today.
