Sorry this is a little late. Let’s just say a surge of solar energy would have done this producer some good after the end of a long week! But enough of my whining! This has been an exciting two weeks, as we explore renewable energy technology and policy as it exists today in the Land of Enchantment. Last week, we were blowing in the wind. This week it’s time to truly let the sun shine down.
We had a great conversation on the show about what is going on in our state in terms of harnessing the power of the sun. Probably the biggest news is the announcement of a 30 Megawatt solar plant that will be built next year in between the towns of Springer and Cimarron. But, that’s only the beginning. Along with wind, it is no secret that we get a lot of sun here in New Mexico. The trick now is finding the best ways to maximize on that potential, which is second only to Arizona according to most experts.
One of the things we touched on in the show is the growing package of incentives for converting to solar energy. There is a lot to digest out there, and it can all be a little overwhelming if you let it. There are some great resources out there that can help you navigate your way through the process. Here are just a few:
How-to Guide for using New Mexico’s Solar Incentives
New Mexico Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources page
Solar Energy Directory
Solar Power Rocks
One of the interesting sidenotes that you will quickly find is the universal emphasis on doing what you can to make your home more energy efficient before you start adding photovoltaic panels to the roof of your house. After all, the installation of a system is still expensive, and you don’t want to put in a 4 kilowatt system on a house that truly only needs about 2 Kw. At the same time, every little bit helps the big picture, right?
But, back to the incentives. We talked to Representative Brian Egolf on the show. He made a big splash in his first session with the passing of House Bill 572. That’s the bill that would allow counties and municipalities to use their bonding capacity to pay for the installation of private solar systems. Homeowners who volunteer for the program would then pay down those bonds through an increased property tax payment. No word right now if the Governor will sign the bill or not, but we will keep you posted. The plan can also be a little confusing, so if you have specific questions, I recommend you contact Rep. Egolf directly.
There never seems to be enough time to talk about all that we would like to on the show. That was definitely true this week. We spoke a lot with Mote Ogdahl of the New Mexico Solar Energy Association about the solar energy phenomenon in New Mexico. But we didn’t really have a chance to talk with him about one of his group’s biggest missions: education. Not to worry, though. Monte is going to forward on some information to us, which we will post up here in just a day or two.
We also don’t have time in this series to tackle another controversial renewable energy source: nuclear. THE LINE panelists did debate the issue a little bit this week in light of the ten year anniversary of the opening of the W.I.P.P. facility in Carlsbad, and the 30-year anniversary of the Three-Mile Island incident. I also promised an interview with a leading national nuclear energy expert. I’m still working on that piece, but it should also appear up on this blog in the next day or two.
Up next week: Biofuels. Should be fun! Among other things, we’ll find out how the Santa Fe Brewing Company is going green, by converting their entire fleet to biodiesel. Their trucks run entirely on used vegetable oil from local restaurants. See you Friday night at 7pm!
Kevin McDonald
The Public Affairs Team
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