News and Articles

Santa Fe County Ranks Second in the State in Per Capita Solar Installations

The New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department recently distributed statewide 2015 county home solar installation data indicating that Santa Fe County ranked second in the state in per capita installations, behind state leader Grant County.

Santa Fe County’s 167 solar installations represented over $5.3 million in economic activity.  Santa Fe’s per capita installation rate was more than double that of Bernalillo County.  

Santa Fe County through its Office of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency division launched the “Solarize Santa Fe!” program in 2014 when the Board of County Commissioners adopted Resolution 2014-49.  Solarize Santa Fe! is a public outreach, marketing and technical assistance campaign to let homeowners and businesses know about how incredibly cost-effective solar systems are and to answer any questions for those considering installing solar power on their property.   Solarize Santa Fe!  conducts a variety of outreach efforts including a print and radio media advertising campaign and information tabling at a variety of community events.   Solarize Santa Fe! community events include:  homeowners’ association meetings, Earth Day, CommUNITY  Day on the Plaza,  the summer Santa Fe Bandstand,  Santa Fe Green Chamber of Commerce Annual Fiesta,  Renewable Energy Day at the State Capitol,  and the Santa Fe Homebuilders Association’s annual home show.   Solarize Santa Fe!  will be at this year’s home show on March 12 and 13.

“The Solarize Santa Fe! outreach and education efforts are contributing to our county’s high rate of solar installations,” said Craig O’Hare, the County’s “Solar Guy”.   O’Hare continued, “Solar systems are financially attractive to the home and business owner and are very affordable because solar has come down in price by over 60 percent in the past five years and because of the continued presence of state and federal tax credits.”  

Assistance is provided to citizens that are inside the City limits and those out in the unincorporated areas of the County. Solar advice is provided free-of-charge to home and business owners interested in investigating solar power for their properties. 

“In some ways, solar photovoltaic electric systems are essentially free because homeowners are able to eliminate nearly all of their monthly electric bill and replace it with a lower monthly loan payment for their solar system,” said O’Hare.  

For presentations to your organization or for objective solar advice for your home or business, contact Craig at (505) 992-3044 or cohare@santafecountynm.gov

Late last year, the U.S. Congress extended the federal 30 percent income tax credit for solar systems for another five years.  The tax credit was scheduled to expire at the end of  2016.   The New Mexico 10 percent state income tax credit is scheduled to expire at the end of this year unless the New Mexico Legislature and the Governor extend the credit.    Legislation, SB 13 and HB 26, has been introduced  in the current legislative session which would extend the state income tax credit for another nine years.  With the 30 percent federal income tax credits extended for another five years, continued solar system cost reductions will hopefully accelerate solar installations in the County.