Lawmakers push bill to require solar panels at New Mexico schools receiving state grants

Adrian Hedden
Carlsbad Current-Argus

More solar panels could be coming to newly built public schools throughout New Mexico, after a bill to require the power source was advanced by lawmakers last week and awaits another hearing on its way to becoming law.

Senate Bill 60, sponsored by Sen. William Soules (D-37) would require public schools be outfitted with photovoltaic solar panel systems capable of providing energy needed by the school if constructed and receiving state funds after July 1, 2023.

The bill was passed by the Senate Education Committee Jan. 27 on a 4-2 vote and was sent to the Senate Finance Committee for a subsequent hearing and further action.

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If passed, SB 60 would amend New Mexico’s Public School Capital Outlay Act to include solar systems as eligible for state funding and require any school receiving grant assistance from the Public School Capital Outlay Fund include such a system capable of meeting the school’s energy needs.

Soules, who serves as chair of the Senate Education Committee, said during the hearing that the bill would help the state make progress toward its goals to limiting higher-carbon forms of energy like natural gas.

New Mexico Sen. William Soules, D-Las Cruces, speaks during a meeting of the state Senate Indian, Rural and Cultural Affairs Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021.

“As we move toward more renewable energy, this just makes our schools more sustainable,” Soules said.

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The initiative would also reduce energy costs for schools, Soules said, by seeing them generating their own needed power.

“We’re able to move more money into the classroom by providing for the electricity onsite for the school,” he said.

Samantha Kao, climate and energy advocate for Conservation Voters New Mexico said the environmental group supported HB 60 arguing it would help expand renewable energy in New Mexico and reduce pollution.

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“It’s another creative way for our state to reach our decarbonization goals, and reduce the energy burdens of our schools,” she said.

Gene Strickland, superintendent at Hobbs Municipal Schools said the district supported the bill but expressed concern for the size of a photovoltaic system needed to meet all of school’s energy needs.

He said the district has a solar array on top of a single building that provides about a third of its power load.

A system to provide the entire school's energy needs would need to be to be 100,000 square feet, Strickland said.

“From that standpoint, we would like to see some flexibility there," he said. "I think solar is a part of the bigger picture. I don’t think it will ever replace our core. It needs to be part of our portfolio moving forward, as an opportunity for us to provide educational opportunities to students.”

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In response, Soules agreed to an amendment requiring the systems provide at least 51 percent of the needed power load.

Amy Miller, representing the Renewable Energy Industries Association of New Mexico argue SB 60 would not only reduce the carbon emissions and expenses of public schools, but also serve as an educational tool for students in learning about renewable energy as the sector was expected to expand in the coming years.

She said the solar industry would need quadruple its workforce to meet increase demand for solar projects in New Mexico by 2030.  

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“You’re exposing children to learn about solar energy,” Miller said. “The more that we can expose children to this type of industry, that’s positive for our state.”

Sen. Gay Kernan (R-42) of Hobbs, who ultimately voted against the bill along with Sen. Steven Neville (R-2), echoed Strickland’s concerns and worried the bill would circumvent local school districts’ decision-making.

“I think we’re taking away the ability of our local districts to do what they think is best for their district,” she said. “I just worry about the requirement piece.”

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Although SB 60 would not include any appropriations, its requirements would increase costs to the state, read a fiscal impact report from the Legislative Finance Committee.

A photovoltaic solar system to provide enough power to fully supply a large school could cost up to $2 million, the report read, up to $1.5 million for a medium school and less than $550,000 for a small school, the report read.

That could increase project costs by up to 3 percent, according to the report.

“The bill does not make an appropriation, however, requiring PV systems for new public school construction will increase project costs and, consequently, increased grant assistance from the public school capital outlay fund, read the report.

The report also noted most solar systems at schools are not typically designed to meet all of their energy needs and suggested the amendment that was added by Soules at the meeting to meet “the majority” of power requirements.

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on Twitter.