Picuris moves toward solar independence

Nov 27, 2023

Taos News | October 25, 2023 | Staff Reporter

Picuris Pueblo held a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday (Oct. 23) for a new 3-quarter megawatt solar array that will directly and exclusively serve tribal consumers.

Les Rubin, finance director for Picuris, said the new array is one of the first examples of New Mexico’s community solar program, which was enabled through The Community Solar Act. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the act into law in April 2021.

Unlike an existing Kit Carson Electric solar array serving Picuris and the larger Peñasco valley, the new array feeds power directly to the tribe, creating cost savings for its consumers.