PNM Celebrates Opening Its First Solar Energy Center in Sandoval
West of Rio Rancho and north of Northern Boulevard on Encino Road, PNM’s Sandoval County Solar Energy Center was recently celebrated. At the event were present members of the county, the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Sandoval Economic Alliance.
By Anca Gagiuc, Associate Editor
PNM’s Sandoval County Solar Energy Center was recently celebrated. At the event were present members of the county, the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Sandoval Economic Alliance.
The planning and the acquisition of permits stages of the development took place in 2013. The construction was spread over three months in 2014. Located West of Rio Rancho and north of Northern Boulevard on Encino Road, Sandoval County’s first solar center came with a $16 million price tag and produces about $152,000 new tax revenue for the county.
The 6.4-megawatt solar energy facility encompasses 80 acres with around 75,590 pedestal-mounted solar panels, capable of generating enough energy for 2,450 consumers. The panels are equipped with mechanisms that allow them to track the sun as it travels across the sky. The collected energy will be used not only for Sandoval County’s residents, but for PNM’s user base.
PNM has invested $270 million on solar power in New Mexico and is working on adding more. The company says that by 2016, its solar centers will generate enough electricity for 40,000 consumers per year.
Photo courtesy of PNM Facebook Page.
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