News

This week, SEIA and Wood Mackenzie released the Solar Market Insight Report for Q1 of 2025.

The report finds that solar added 10.8 GW of new electricity generating capacity and 8.6 GW of new solar module manufacturing capacity in Q1. Solar and storage accounted for 82% of all new generating capacity added to the grid and communities added 8 new or expanded factories in Texas, Ohio, Arizona, and South Carolina while American solar cell production capacity doubled.

According to SEIA president and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper, “Solar and storage continue to dominate America’s energy economy, adding more new capacity to the grid than any technology using increasingly American-made equipment... But our success is at risk. If Congress fails to fix the legislation passed by the House – which would render the energy tax incentives unusable – lawmakers will trigger a dangerous energy shortage that will raise our electric bills and stop America’s manufacturing boom in its tracks."

Read more highlights and access the full report here. 

New Mexico is stepping up its commitment to energy efficiency! The state's Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Division has secured $5.3 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to establish an Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund.

This fund offers low-interest loans (2% fixed rate, $250,000-$1 million) for crucial energy efficiency upgrades like smart thermostats, HVAC, insulation, and lighting. Solar and electric panel upgrades are also eligible as part of comprehensive projects. The program targets private nonprofit and for-profit entities with buildings benefiting the public, such as healthcare and educational facilities.

This initiative will help reduce utility bills, decrease building emissions, boost New Mexico's economy, and protect our environment. It's a significant step towards a sustainable future for our state!

Learn more about this exciting development here. Original coverage by Beth Anton at Renewable Energy Magazine. 

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller is pushing back against President Donald Trump’s latest executive order on coal production. During the Electrify New Mexico conference Friday morning, the mayor signed his own executive order to speed up the transition away from fossil fuels at city buildings. That includes fully converting to renewable energy for all city operations by the end of the year. Check out KRQE's coverage here.

 Affordable Solar is proud to announce the groundbreaking and construction of New Mexico’s first-ever Community Solar project, marking a significant milestone in the state’s transition to clean energy and community-driven sustainability. The Cuidando Los Niños Community Solar Project, located in Valencia County, expands access to renewable energy for New Mexicans and reinforces the commitment to environmental and social progress.

“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,” said Dylan Connelly, REIA-NM Board President and Project Developer at Affordable Solar. “This project not only reflects our commitment to clean energy but also highlights our dedication to giving back to the communities where we live and work.”  Find out more here.  

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has appointed a former Republican state senator and oil and gas lawyer to a six-year term on the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission.

Greg Nibert of Roswell beat out five other final candidates for the role, including outgoing commissioner James Ellison, who was vying for another term after being appointed by Lujan Grisham in January 2023 to a two-year term. Read more here. 

America’s electricity demand is growing again and U.S. businesses are turning to solar.  According to SEIA’s 2024 Solar Means Business report, American companies have installed nearly 40 GW of onsite and off-site solar. Why? Because it’s good for their bottom line.  The flexibility and dispatchability of solar + storage make it ideal for a wide range of commercial applications and, at the end of the day, solar is the most cost-effective way to produce energy in human history.  
 
SEIA President and CEO Abby Hopper writes:  
“Some of the largest industrial and data operations in the world continue turning to solar and storage as a reliable, low-cost way to power their operations. These industry giants are investing in solar through a diverse range of applications, including onsite and off-site installations, on carports, paired with storage, or even as an anchor tenant for a community solar project.”  
 
Check out the report for more on why U.S. businesses investing in solar at record levels.

The American-Made Community Power Accelerator Prize is a $10 million prize competition designed to fast-track the efforts of new, emerging, and expanding solar developers and codevelopers to grow multiple successful community-benefiting distributed solar projects. Find out more here.  

There will be an informational webinar on November 13 for anyone interested in participating in the competition.  Sign up for the webinar here.  

The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission’s Annual Seminar, “Powering New Mexico: The Journey to Sustainable Energy,” will be held on November 4-5, 2024. This dynamic seminar will bring together industry leaders, experts, and innovators to explore New Mexico’s energy future. Dive into discussions on rural energy challenges, distribution planning in an evolving landscape, the impact of AI in litigation, and game-changing regulatory shifts. Plus, gain insights into economic development, cost recovery, and the latest appellate matters shaping our state’s energy journey. Don’t miss this opportunity to be at the forefront of New Mexico’s sustainable energy future!  Visit their website for more info and to register.

The SPSP internship program, a state funded program, allows UNM to pay 2/3 of the student intern's stipend. These are 12-week 12-15 hours per week, internships. This opportunity gives students practical on-site job training and are available to UNM’s SoE Juniors and above (including graduate students) with a minimum 3.0 GPA and are in good standing in their department. US Citizenship is required. Find out more here.