Two SunShare Solar Plants in the U.S. Begin Operations in July, Donating Over $7 Million

en.Wedoany.com Reported - SunShare (SunShare, LLC), together with local New Mexico community solar company CSolPower, LLC, announced that its first two community solar gardens in the region have completed construction and been connected to the grid. As the oldest community solar developer in the United States, SunShare also announced donations exceeding $7 million to Navajo Technical University, the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women, and Habitat for Humanity.

Of the first two plants connected to the grid, the Juniper Sol Community Solar Garden in Santa Fe County spans 31 acres with a capacity of 6 MWdc, enough to power nearly 2,000 homes and avoid 261 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. The plant employs agrivoltaic practices, planting native, pollinator-friendly habitats beneath and around the solar panels. Fifty percent of its subscribers are income-qualified, with some residing in affordable housing developed in partnership with Yes! Housing and Catholic Charities; these subscribers will see significantly reduced electricity bills and a lower energy cost burden.

The other plant is the Rockhound Sol Community Solar Garden in Deming, with a capacity of 4.5 MWdc. Both plants commenced commercial operations and began producing renewable energy on July 1.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the Juniper Sol plant, New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland stated that people should not be forced to choose between filling up their gas tanks, buying groceries, or paying their electricity bills. Projects like Juniper Sol, which make the cost savings of renewable energy accessible to everyone—including renters and those who cannot afford the upfront installation costs of solar—are creative and sensible local initiatives in the face of rising costs.

SunShare CEO and founder David Amster-Olszewski stated that electricity demand is currently growing rapidly, and the Juniper Sol project demonstrates that community solar can meet this demand cost-effectively and quickly while delivering broad benefits—2,000 households will save on their electricity bills over the next 25 years by subscribing to this solar garden. He also noted that as the company celebrates its 15th anniversary at the inauguration of Santa Fe County's first community solar garden, SunShare remains committed to advancing a clean, distributed renewable energy future.

Tiffany Jiron, Executive Director of the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women, stated that SunShare's support will strengthen the coalition's work in violence prevention and supporting survivors in New Mexico, helping create a safer future for Native women and children; this partnership demonstrates that renewable energy can deliver lasting benefits not only to the environment but also to communities. Dr. Elmer Guy, President of Navajo Technical University, stated that this solar plant will generate clean energy, and this partnership may also generate something equally important—opportunity.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together hundreds of local subscribers and community leaders from across the state. Also in attendance were New Mexico Lieutenant Governor candidate Stephanie Garcia Richard, Public Regulation Commissioner Gabe Aguilera, and Senator Liz Stefanics.

SunShare stated that the company will continue advancing clean energy solutions and investing in Indigenous communities; its contributions also reflect the role of collective action in driving the energy transition.