NM Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham | governor.state.nm.us
NM Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham | governor.state.nm.us
SANTA FE – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that New Mexico is set to receive $156 million from the federal agency's Solar for All competition, aimed at providing solar power to low-income households in the state.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “The EPA’s Solar for All program is an unprecedented investment in clean, affordable renewable energy for low-income communities across the country. It is only natural that New Mexico—a national leader in clean energy—would be among the states selected to participate. This will help ensure that all New Mexicans, regardless of income level, can benefit from our clean energy transition.”
The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) will oversee New Mexico's Solar for All Program, which aims to make solar power accessible to approximately 20,910 households in the state. The program is expected to save residents over $299 million in energy costs over 20 years and prevent the release of 116,628 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
EMNRD Deputy Secretary Dylan Fuge outlined the program's focus on underserved communities, stating, “Our Solar for All Program is designed to reach New Mexico’s underserved communities by focusing on supporting shared solar access projects in rural and tribal communities.” The initiative includes plans for shared solar access projects and funding for utility power infrastructure upgrades.
Furthermore, the program will provide grants for residential solar systems in areas where community solar is not feasible. ECMD Division Director Rebecca “Puck” Stair highlighted the commitment to environmental justice, saying, “Our first step is forming an Environmental Justice Advisory Committee to help us ensure that the program delivers benefits most effectively for low-income residents.”
The Solar for All program is projected to add 21 megawatts of solar energy capacity to New Mexico's power grid and generate 8.1 megawatt hours of stored energy for times when sunlight is insufficient. ECMD aims to enhance grid resiliency by installing storage alongside solar panels.
With federal funding secured, EMNRD is working towards a program launch, with the first solar system installations expected to commence in early 2025.
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