New Mexico indeed is the Land of Enchantment. And like much
of the Southwestern United States, New Mexico is blessed with abundant
sunshine. It is precisely because they enjoy more than 300 days a year of
unencumbered sunshine that many of the state’s residents have taken an interest
in solar energy.
This is certainly an exciting and accessible renewable
energy source that stands to diversify how people power their homes and
businesses. Unfortunately, as with any new industry, bad actors have cropped up
exhibiting poor business practice sand deceiving unsuspecting customers. To
protect New Mexicans as the use of solar power expands, Gov. Susana Martinez
recently signed into law a measure by state Sen. Clemente Sanchez, D-Grants,
and state Rep. Debbie Rodella, D-Española, titled the Solar Consumer Bill of
Rights (Senate Bill 210/House Bill 199).
The law will work to protect consumers while also providing
support for the solar industry by ushering in revenue, jobs and environmental
benefits to New Mexico. It is important to note that the advent of solar energy
has provided the state a host of benefits, but with those come some challenges
that this law seeks to address. Some of New Mexico’s most vulnerable consumers,
at risk from those bad actors in the industry, are in minority and low-income
communities.
As the president and chief executive officer of the United
States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, I am thrilled the governor has made this
legislation into law, because it has the interests of the small business
community at heart. At the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, we work
to identify and remedy challenges to American businesses and to the Hispanic
community as a whole.
The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce helps
stimulate economic growth, development and interests of more than 4.2 million
Hispanic-owned businesses that contribute over $668 billion to the American
economy every year. It is our mission to ensure reasonable policies are being
implemented so that our community is fairly represented.
Deciding to partake in solar energy is a big decision. It is
not a cheap investment and can cost upward of $50,000, a hefty expense for
middle-class families, let alone those in lower-income communities.
In
addition, leasing contracts for solar equipment can also last up to two
decades. This new law will help educate all consumers so they recognize
potential risks when choosing a company. Some of the more common complaints
from homeowners include misrepresentations about total system cost; interest
and payment schedules; confusion about the role of the utility; and improper
and potentially dangerous installation and maintenance.
The bottom line is that the Consumer Solar Bill of Rights
was thoughtfully developed with input from local and national solar providers,
our local business community, Realtors and their associations, low-income
advocates, the New Mexico Construction Industry Division and state legislative
officials. This was a strong collaborative effort from a variety of
stakeholders to cover a broad area of concerns — including those affecting
minority communities. I am very happy New Mexico has instituted this policy
into law, so that all its citizens can enjoy the benefits of solar power and
ensure that New Mexico continues to be … the Land of Enchantment!
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