Contact PNM | About PNM | PNM News


Solar PV Program:
How To Participate in the PNM Small PV Program

Overview
Find out more about a step by selecting its title.

Step 1: Determine your eligibility, typical energy use and goals

Step 2: Find a contractor and design a system - but don't install yet

Step 3: Send in your application and wait for approval before starting construction

Step 4: Sign the contracts, install your system, then arrange for inspections and final approval

PNM must approve your application and also approve the completed installation. Without these approvals, PNM cannot purchase your RECs or excess power.

Step 1: Determine your eligibility, typical energy use and goals

  1. Determine if you’re eligible to participate in the PNM Small Solar PV Program.
    • You must be a PNM electric customer and own the home or building on which the system will be installed.
  2. Determine your typical energy usage.
    1. Using your utility bills or PDF copies of them from View My Bill at PNM.com, find the kWh (kilowatt-hour) usage for each month of the last year.
    2. Calculate the average monthly kWh.

    Along with your goals and budget, this will help you and your contractor choose the appropriate solar PV system size.

  3. Determine your goals and budget.
    • Do you want your PV system to offset your entire energy usage, or just some?
      • Efficient homes can often be fully PV powered with a 2-4 kilowatt system, whereas typical homes may require a 4-6 kilowatt system.
      • The PNM Small PV Program applies to systems 10 kW and smaller.
        • The PNM Large PV Program may better meet your needs if your home or facility uses a lot of electricity and could benefit from a solar PV system larger than 10 kW up to 1 MW.
    • How much will you be comfortable spending including parts and labor?
      • A common estimate in the industry is $10,000 per installed kilowatt (1,000 watts) of solar PV. Using this estimate, a 2 kW system would cost about $20,000.

Step 2: Find a contractor and design a system – but don't install yet

  1. Find a contractor or design a system yourself, if qualified:
    • If you’re a licensed electrician, you can perform the work yourself:

    Review the technical requirements for a PV system, 10 kW or less, grid-tied

    • If you’re not a licensed electrician, you’ll want to find a contractor capable of designing the right system for your needs and budget, and installing it properly.
      • As with any big home project, it’s a good idea to get quotes or bids from a few different vendors.
    • If you belong to a homeowners’ association, we recommend that you review your covenants.
  2. Most importantly, don’t start construction yet. If you build a system before obtaining approval, you risk paying for a system that does not qualify to receive payments under this program.

Step 3: Send in your application and wait for approval before starting construction

  1. Send us your application after you have a preliminary design for your system but before construction begins, to ensure that your system will interconnect properly.
    • Most contractors are willing to prepare all of the application and even include the application fee in the overall bid.
      • Please keep in mind that you, as the interconnection customer, must sign the application; your contractor can not sign on your behalf.
      • Make sure your contractor is aware of the forms and information at www.pnm.com/solar.
  2. To apply, you’ll send the following four items in one package:
      See an example of a one-line diagram (grid-tied)
    • A site diagram, which is a simple, clearly labeled map showing where the panels are installed in relationship to your house or other building, where the disconnection switches will be installed, and where your system connects to ours.

      See an example of a site diagram

    • A specification sheet showing the UL 1741 listing information of the inverter you plan to use so that we can verify it. You can obtain this online or from your contractor.
  3. Mail the application and required diagrams to:

    4. PNM Solar PV Program
    Alvarado Square
    Albuquerque, N.M., 87158-0510

  4. Once we receive your application, we'll examine it to make sure your proposed system meets all safety and regulatory requirements.
    • Review typically takes two business days after receipt.
    • Upon approval, we will notify you or your contractor. You can start construction at that point.

Your approved application means that if installed as documented in the application, your system should pass final inspection.

Step 4: Sign the contracts, install your system, then arrange for inspections and final approval

  1. You’ll receive a contract package from PNM by mail. Sign the contracts and return them to us.
  2. Next, have the PNM-approved system installed.
  3. When your system installation is almost complete, you or your contractor needs to arrange for city, county or state electrical inspection depending on your location.
    Request a field inspection by the State of N.M. (rld.state.nm.us)
  4. Once your system passes the electrical inspection:
    1. The inspector typically notifies us – but you can also e-mail Frank Andazola to tell him that your system passed inspection.

      E-mail the Solar PV program

    2. We’ll verify this information, then install a REC meter (if you’ve opted for the REC benefit) where shown on your diagram within about 7 business days. You won't need to be present.
    3. Then we'll arrange to meet you at your home to interconnect your system and perform the final inspection, which includes:
      • An anti-islanding test, which ensures that in an outage, your PV system will stop putting energy onto our grid. This safety precaution protects PNM personnel during outages.
      • Verification that the laminated one-line diagram and site map are placed on site.
    4. With this final approval and assuming all paperwork is complete, you'll start seeing benefits in the next billing cycle.

      5. Watch your mailbox for PNM-signed copies of the Interconnection Agreement and Small PV REC Purchase Agreement. Keep these for your records; they indicate that the interconnection process of your solar PV system to the electric grid is complete.

Contact PNM if you still have questions
Return to solar PV program overview