the power of community solar

Rendered view from Hwy 518 near southeast corner of project looking West towards project.

The project is 5 MW AC in size and will be built on approximately 35 acres of land. The project will provide enough electricity to power roughly 1,300 NM households per year. This clean energy resource will avoid the 10,500 tons of CO2 emissions each year, the equivalent of 2,500 cars off the roads or planting 170,000 trees.

The Pluma Solar Las Vegas Construction Team is proud to offer this opportunity to New Mexicans to power their homes and businesses with abundant clean energy. Pluma is a 5th generation New Mexican and Veteran owned construction company, with more than 35 years of experience building high quality projects throughout the Land of Enchantment. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What is Community Solar?

A: Instead of purchasing 100% of their electricity from the utility, a community and its residents can opt to purchase local solar power from a Community Solar project located in the same utility territory. Community Solar projects do not need to be located on the same property as the community members using the electricity. The electricity rate for the community is a fixed discount from the utility’s rate, guaranteeing residents savings on electricity expenses.

Q: How will the project benefit the San Miguel Community?

A: The Community will benefit from ample Health, Social and Economic benefits! Residents and small businesses in San Miguel County who pay a PNM bill can subscribe to a community solar project, such as the Pluma Solar Las Vegas/Pino project, and receive a guaranteed discount on their PNM utility bill. Additionally, at least 50% of electricity produced from the Pluma Solar Las Vegas/Pino project is reserved for low-income customers, ensuring the guaranteed savings will be going to those who need it the most. The project will also add clean and renewable electricity onto the New Mexico Grid.

The project will provide enough electricity to power over 1,300 NM households per year. This clean energy resource will avoid over 10,500 metric tons of CO2 emissions each year, the equivalent of over 2,500 cars off the roads or planting 170,000 trees.

Q: When will the project be constructed?

A: The project is expected to start construction in the spring/summer of 2025.

Q: What is the size of the project?

A: The project is 5 MW ac and will occupy 35 acres of land.

Q: Where is the project located?

A: The project is located on Hwy 518 in Las Vegas, NM.

Q: What will the project look like when it is fully constructed?

A: Renderings Gallery:

Rendered view from Grump Road, looking South towards project.

Rendered view from Hwy 518 near Grump Road, looking West towards project.

Rendered view from Hwy 518 near southeast corner of project looking West towards project.

Rendered view from Martinez Road, looking North towards project.

Q: How can I sign up to power my home/business with solar from the project?

A: The project will begin enrolling customers before construction starts. For now, you can sign up for the waitlist here, where you will be first in line to subscribe to the project and receive benefits. Click here to sign-up!

Q: How does this work with my current electricity service?

A: If your electric bill comes from the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), Southwestern Public Service SPS (Xcel), or El Paso Electric (EPE), then you can sign up. PNM serves many residents in San Miguel County. Electric cooperatives can opt-in to participate in the New Mexico Community Solar Program, however, the Mora-San Miguel Electric Co-op has not opted in at this time.

Q: Will the solar modules impact the local airport?

A: The FAA takes this concern very seriously and closely analyzes the impact of solar projects to flight paths and active airports. They have reviewed this project plan and have issued a Determination of “No Hazard”.

Q: Will there be impacts to any acequias?

A:  There is an acequia on the same property as the solar project. All solar equipment and panels will be set back from the acequia by a minimum of 20’. There will be no change to how the acequia is accessed or how it flows. The acequia will be maintained in the same manner as before the project existed. Neighboring acequia stewards will not see any changes to the acequia or to any water rights due to this project.

About ForeFront Power

To complement our expertise in large-scale construction, and to expedite the delivery of our Community Solar projects, we have tapped ForeFront Power as our development and financing partner. A national leader in solar energy and energy storage development, ForeFront Power has developed more than 1,800 behind-the-meter and Community Solar projects, totaling more than 1.6 gigawatt-DC (GW-DC) of renewable electricity. ForeFront Power brings world-class expertise in solar energy development and project financing to the Pluma Community Solar projects, including ample experience developing behind-the-meter and Community Solar projects for low-income households, communities of color, and disproportionately impacted communities across the U.S. Puma’s partnership with ForeFront Power ensures that New Mexicans will receive a best-in-class Community Solar program that will protect them from rising energy costs and set a new national standard for energy equity and sustainability.