FAQs:

Solar for All

1. What is Solar for All? 

“Solar for All” is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program designed to make solar power available to low-income households across the country. The program is allocating a total of $7 billon nationwide to fund solar systems for households that otherwise might not be able to access this clean, renewable form of energy. The State of New Mexico was awarded a $156 million Solar for All grant in April 2024. The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department is administering New Mexico’s Solar for All program. 

2. How will Solar for All be implemented in New Mexico?   

New Mexico’s Solar for All program will have several components. These components are likely to include:

• Funding fund rooftop solar systems on single-family homes.
• Funding for larger-scale “community solar” projects that allow multiple households—such as entire neighborhoods or people residing in multifamily units such as apartment buildings—to tap into a system that resembles a solar-powered microgrid.
• Funding for solar systems in areas where community solar is not viable, such as households on tribal lands that are not connected to a power grid. These households may be served by backup battery power.
• Funding for home roof repair or solar panel upgrades in cases where those improvements are necessary for a solar system to function properly.
• Collaboration with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) to fund upgrades to local utilities’ grid infrastructure to ensure that solar systems can be securely integrated in the power grid.

The first step in implementing New Mexico’s Solar for All Program is forming an Environmental Justice Advisory Committee that will help EMNRD understand the best ways for implementing each program component within individual communities across the state.  

3. Who will be on the Environmental Justice Advisory Committee?

The Environmental Justice Advisory Committee will include a diverse group of stakeholders, including Tribal representatives, members of various public advocacy groups, solar energy trade associations and others. To learn more or, if you are interested in joining the committee, send an email stating your interest to this address:  emnrd.ecmd@emnrd.nm.gov 

4. Who is eligible to participate in the Solar for All Program?   

Solar for All is specifically designed for low-income households. To be eligible, households must be at or below 80% of area median income, reside in a Disadvantaged Community as defined by the White House’s Justice40 Initiative, and/or be able to prove eligibility through participation in programs such as the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).  

5. When does the program start?   

EMNRD is developing the program now. In addition to forming the Environmental Justice Advisory Committee, we will be hiring a program administrator and executing an agreement with a financial agent to manage fund disbursements. We expect to see the first solar installations by mid-2025.   

6. How can I get solar panels on my house?  

If you are eligible, you can access Solar for All through membership in a shared solar project or through funding for individual residential solar projects. We are building the application process now and expect to launch it in 2025. In the meantime, you can check back here for updates, or subscribe to the State Energy Office newsletter.

7. I live in an apartment, and/or I rent. Can I participate in the program?  

Yes. People who live in apartments, or otherwise cannot put solar panels on their houses (because they rent or due to other barriers) will be able to participate in Solar for All. Apartment building owners will also be able to participate and install solar to benefit tenants.

 8. How do I apply for the Solar for All Program? 

EMNRD is developing the formal application process and will make a public announcement when it is ready to begin accepting applications. That information will also be included in the State Energy Office newsletter. You can subscribe to that newsletter here. 

9. I am a contractor. How do I bid for a project?   

EMNRD is developing the program now and will soon begin a competitive request for proposals (RFP) process seeking contractors to assist with administering the program. If you would like to be informed about the RFP(s) for the program, please check back here. 

10. How do solar installers participate?  

Solar installers will have an important role to play in the Solar for All Program, which ultimately is designed to lower utility costs for low-income households through adoption of solar power.
More information on how solar installers can participate in the program will be forthcoming as the program rolls out. For updates on the program, including information specific to solar installers, you can subscribe to the State Energy Office newsletter.  

11. I have another question not answered here. How can I ask?  

If you have questions not answered here, email those questions to this email address: mailto:emnrd.ecmd@emnrd.nm.gov

For updates, you can check back on this webpage and/or subscribe to the State Energy Office newsletter, here.