Mayor pushes for large new solar array
Mayor Javier Gonzales introduced a proposal Wednesday that would almost double the city’s use of renewable energy under an arrangement with Public Service Company of New Mexico to install a large new solar array.
Roughly a quarter of the city’s energy use currently comes from renewable sources. Installations at 10 municipal structures — including the Genoveva Chavez Community Center, the Buckman Direct Diversion project and the Santa Fe Community Convention Center — collectively provide 4.8 megawatts of renewable power.
The mayor’s proposal, directing city staff to work with PNM to develop the 3.5-megawatt photovoltaic project, would increase the city’s renewable energy use to more than 40 percent of its total energy portfolio.
Gonzales said the resolution represented a “big leap” toward reaching the city’s sustainability targets.
“This really puts our money where our mouth is when it comes to setting an example that we’re serious about hitting our goals,” Gonzales said. “I think that Santa Fe can be a leader in this type of effort in our state.”
In late August, the City Council approved a resolution directing the city manager to study whether city facilities could reach 100 percent renewable energy use by 2025.
The municipal partnership with the utility would be a first in New Mexico, according to Paul Darnell, PNM’s senior vice president of public policy.
Where the new solar array might be located has not yet been determined. PNM would own the solar infrastructure, according to the mayor’s draft resolution, and Darnell said it could be placed anywhere the utility can connect to its grid.
PNM has agreed to work with the city to seek out other public partners, Gonzales said, which could potentially lower city costs.
The mayor also introduced a proposal Wednesday that would establish a program to replace administrative city vehicles that use gasoline or diesel with electric vehicles by 2025.
Gonzales’ sustainability resolutions are scheduled for their first committee hearings in November.