Leading us down the right energy path
We are over-reliant on fossil fuels and we are seeing no leadership at the national level to address the issue. But New Mexico can help lead us down the right path by becoming a national leader in the development of solar power.

Approximately 12,000 new homes were built in New Mexico in 2005, according to the New Mexico Home Builders Association. Each home and building constructed without solar power is a missed opportunity for New Mexico to tap into its year-round sunshine.

Instead of depending on more coal, nuclear, natural gas or drilling in our wild places, New Mexico should build with solar power. Just like we install double-paned windows and insulation, installing solar during construction dramatically reduces the cost of the systems.

Solar is good for the economy
Solar power would benefit New Mexico’s economy. The construction of solar power systems creates 20 times the jobs per megawatt than are created by the construction of gas and coal plants—and more jobs per megawatt than any other energy source.

Advent Solar—which plans to open a plant in Albuquerque—announced that it would employ 1,000 people upon opening. The CEO of Advent Solar said, “This is the best place for clean energy technology in the world.”

Solar means energy independence
New Mexico is second in the country for solar potential, yet 87 percent of our power comes from coal plants—one of the leading contributors to global warming and smog, soot and mercury pollution. New Mexico exports nearly half of this dirty power.

By becoming a leader in solar power production, New Mexico could reduce our dependence on dirty sources of power and control its own energy future. Furthermore, individuals and businesses could realize independence from soaring energy costs and price spikes by taking advantage of solar energy tax credits.

50,000 solar roofs
New Mexico should be leading the nation with the largest per capita generation of solar power and should set a goal of equipping 50,000 rooftops in the state with solar panels.

A key step in reaching that goal will be the adoption of new building standards, which require that all new commercial housing developments have solar energy technologies as a standard feature of the house.

Becoming a solar leader
Environment New Mexico has helped New Mexico work toward becoming a leader in renewable energy over the last few years.

In 2004 we successfully urged passage of the Renewable Energy Standard, which requires that 10 percent of our energy come from renewable sources by 2011.

During the 2006 legislative session we helped pass the Solar Tax Credit which provides a tax credit to people who purchase solar systems.

Now it is time to go one step further. Given the volatility of natural gas prices, reducing energy use with solar homes will save New Mexicans money and help reduce global warming pollution.