Xcel Energy offering solar electricity option for customers in NM

ROSWELL — Xcel Energy says customers in New Mexico now have the option to purchase electricity generated from a solar power plant near Clovis that came online just weeks ago.

A typical residential customer would pay about $10.80 a month more to participate in the utility’s solar program. That charge includes the cost of the energy delivered from the solar facility, the cost to integrate that energy into the grid and the cost to market and administer the program.

Customers also would get a credit for the avoided energy costs from using traditional fossil fuels.

“It’s a convenient option for customers who have considered adding solar panels to their rooftops but don’t care to invest the time and money into buying and maintaining a rooftop system,” Mike McLeod, regional manager for Community and Economic Development in Roswell, said in a statement.

Utility officials said companies and organizations that have sustainability goals also can participate and claim renewable energy certificates that result from the solar facility’s energy production.

Xcel Energy, which serves parts of eastern New Mexico and West Texas, has set a goal of providing customers with 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050. It has close to 2,500 megawatts of wind energy capacity that it either owns or purchases for customers in the region. Those wind resources made up about 30% of the utility’s energy mix last year.