Plug-In Solar in New Mexico
There's no plug-in solar law in New Mexico. The Senate shelved a 2026 bill and a study request, so the standard utility interconnection rules still apply.
- No plug-in solar law in New Mexico yetBill SB 157
- Utility rules are in effect.No cap on plug-in watts.
- The amount is 15.3 cents.The EIA shows an average home price per kWh from Jan to Aug 2026.
- $223 each year.In Albuquerque, an 800 W kit, with no utility solar fee added yet.
For a connection in New Mexico, get approval from your electric utility first, and use an inverter with anti-islanding that is listed to UL 1741, or one listed to UL 3700 instead.
New Mexico Plug-In Bills
- SB 157 (2026) would have permitted devices no larger than 1,920 W, NRTL certified, that needed no utility approval and carried exemptions from interconnection and net metering. It was postponed indefinitely on 26 Jan 2026 and then died. Bill details
- SM 10 (2026): this Senate memorial called for a low-income plug-in solar pilot to be designed by the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. It was shelved indefinitely on 27 Jan 2026 and died. See the bill
Today's Rule in New Mexico
Hookup rules: PRC rule 17.9.568 NMAC requires grid-tied generators to apply to the utility. A certified inverter system with 50 kW nameplate or less uses a simplified process, and applying costs $150 when the system is 25 kW or less.
Net metering: 17.9.570 NMAC covers it. Extra kilowatt-hours show up as credit on your next bill (either kWh credits or a credit at the utility's energy rate), and leftover credits roll month to month.
Where to Go Next in New Mexico
Each 1 kW of panels in Albuquerque produces 1,821 kWh a year, according to PVWatts. The home price for electricity in New Mexico is 15.3 cents per kWh in 2026 so far. With an 800 W kit, the figures depend on the kit's placement:
| Where the panels go | kWh a year | Saved a year |
|---|---|---|
| Tilted south on a stand | 1,457 | $223 |
| Upright on a railing | 918 | $141 |
| Facing east or west | 1,165 | $179 |
Each Month in Albuquerque
- Jan108
- Feb109
- Mar132
- Apr136
- May138
- Jun131
- Jul124
- Aug122
- Sep124
- Oct122
- Nov110
- Dec101
kWh produced by an 800 W kit, tilted south.
Kit Prices in New Mexico
| Kit | kWh a year | Saved a year | Pays back in | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Solar Supplier 1180 W EZ1 Kit | 2,149 | $330 | 2.7 years | $899 |
| Bright Saver 360 W Balcony Kit | 655 | $101 | 4.1 years | $414 |
| EcoFlow STREAM 800 W Kit | 1,457 | $223 | 4.9 years | $1,099 |
Angled south, all of it used at home. Compare all kits
New Mexico Details Worth Knowing
- Solar customers in New Mexico still have monthly net metering, and unused kWh credits roll over from one month to the next.
- For systems up to 25 kW, formal interconnection carries a $150 application fee. Beside a small plug-in kit, that's a real cost.
Do You Rent or Use a Balcony?
The mount is your landlord's or HOA's call, while your electric utility makes the hookup decision. Read about balcony solar and solar for apartments.
Primary Utilities
- Southwestern Public Service (Xcel Energy)
- Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM)
- El Paso Electric
Where to Go Next in New Mexico
- Pick a size: a kit of 400 W makes about 728 kWh each year in Albuquerque, and one of 1,200 W makes about 2,185 kWh. Run yours
- Keep an eye on SB 157 during the next session. If it passes, you may no longer need the approval step.
Sources
- SB0157 text as introduced
- 2026 Regular Session - SB 157, New Mexico Legislature
- NM SB157 | 2026 | LegiScan
- SM010
- NM SM10 | 2026 | LegiScan
- 17.9.568 NMAC
- 17.9.570 NMAC
- EIA State Electricity Profile tables, New Mexico 2024
- Data: EIA Table 5.6.B, 2026 prices plus NREL PVWatts, Albuquerque
Look at every state at a glance or check a neighbor: Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming.