Picuris Pueblo Solar 1 Connects to the Grid Helping Kit Carson Electric Cooperative Take Another Step Forward With 100% Daytime Solar
Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC) is proud to announce that the Picuris Pueblo Solar Array was energized on December 18, 2017 and is providing solar energy to Penasco, NM and the surrounding areas. Picuris Pueblo’s one-megawatt solar array is the second array this year to be connected into KCEC’s electric grid and is an important step in attaining KCEC’s goal of 100% daytime renewable energy by 2022.
In 2015, KCEC and Picuris Pueblo entered into a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA). This agreement will provide a steady financial revenue base to Picuris that will help offset future energy cost for tribal members, as well as, provide solar energy for future generations of tribal members. The Picuris Array will produce electricity for nearly 600 homes in the surrounding area or about one-third of households in the Penasco and surrounding communites. The Picuris Pueblo Solar Array is the largest solar array owned and operated by any pueblo in New Mexico. The collaboration and partnership between KCEC and Picuris Pueblo has created a strong relationship that will continue to bring sucesses and economic opportuninites to these rural communities. Creating a distributed energy resource system centered around a solar fleet located in numerous rural communities like the Picuris Pueblo Solar Array will ensure resiliency and reliability throughout KCEC’s service area.
In December 2016, the KCEC Board of Trustees voted unanimously to create a plan by the use of solar arrays to achieve a goal of 100% daytime solar by 2022. KCEC in its partnership with Guzman Renewable Energy Partners (GREP) have strategically designed a solar deployment plan within the Kit Carson Service territory to meet the Board and communities goals. The project builds on the accomplishments KCEC has made installing solar arrays over the past twelve years. With the addition of the Picuris Solar Array, KCEC currently has nine-megawatts of solar capacity producing and supplying energy to KCEC members. KCEC and Picuris Pueblo are delivering on their promises to provide resilient, renewable energy to their members.
KCEC is currently finalizing schedules to build three more solar arrays this winter: a 1 MW facilty at Northern NM College in El Rito, NM, a 1-2 MW facility in Angel Fire, NM and a 4 MW facility at the Town of Taos Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility. These communities are quickly embracing the vision of resilient, renewable energy generation and distribution. The arrays are expected to start construction in February 1st of 2018.
KCEC has been committed to its role to provide low energy rates for its members for almost 75 years and in providing economic development for everyone in the Enchanted Circle.