Senator Heinrich’s Re-election Signals Positive Growth for New Mexico Solar

 

New Mexico’s solar industry is celebrating a big win after this election. Senator Martin Heinrich has retained his senate seat, which is great news for the state’s renewables outlook. Known as one of the Senate’s strongest clean energy advocates, Heinrich can help the state weather some major challenges on the horizon—especially as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to introduce new tariffs and roll back renewable energy incentives.

A Proven Solar Advocate 

Senator Heinrich has spent years fighting for policies that promote clean energy in New Mexico. From his support for extending the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) to his advocacy for large-scale renewable projects (like the $8 billion transmission line enabling New Mexico to export clean energy), Heinrich has built a reputation as one of Southwest’s biggest renewable energy champions.

He’s also helped secure tax incentives that have driven a boom in solar and wind deployment, supported the clean energy workforce, and pushed for funding to advance solar research at New Mexico’s national laboratories. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) praised his leadership, highlighting his role in strengthening the American solar market, and expressing optimism over his re-election.

These efforts have helped New Mexico become a leader in renewable energy, with the state now generating over 30% of its electricity from solar and wind. Heinrich’s re-election means his work in promoting clean energy will continue—good news for an industry that will need strong state-level support in the years to come.

Trump’s Tariffs: A New Challenge for Solar

Despite the positive news from Heinrich’s win, the solar industry at large is bracing for tough times ahead. President-elect Trump has announced plans to implement a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, which will directly affect the cost of solar panels and other equipment sourced from China. These tariffs could drive up prices for solar projects across the country, including New Mexico, where the cost of installing solar is already higher than the national average.

Coupled with Trump’s expected rollbacks of renewable energy incentives like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), these tariffs could put significant pressure on solar companies.

For solar contractors, Heinrich’s leadership and policies can help maintain momentum in the face of these federal headwinds. His track record of protecting clean energy incentives and promoting state-level solutions can help offset some of the negative impacts of federal cuts that may be coming. New Mexico solar businesses will need his support to navigate these challenges and keep growing in a changing market.

Opportunities for Solar Contractors in New Mexico

Solar installers should feel optimistic about what Heinrich’s re-election means for their businesses. His continued advocacy for clean energy incentives will likely create new opportunities for solar projects in New Mexico, especially as the state doubles down on its renewable energy goals.

But in a tough policy landscape, contractors must also be more proactive about finding the right customers. That’s where Grid Freedom comes in. 

By providing qualified solar appointments, Grid Freedom helps contractors connect with serious, ready-to-buy customers, reducing the time and cost of lead generation. Their guaranteed solar appointments ensure contractors can focus on installations and growth instead of chasing down dead-end prospects. Maximizing efficiency and securing real, sale-prepped solar appointment leads will be more important than ever for contractors looking to stay competitive.

Grid Freedom can help contractors adapt to the evolving market conditions and maximize opportunities created by state policies. Our agency will deliver a reliable supply of high-quality solar appointments, allowing contractors to position themselves for success in 2025 and beyond. 

Get Guaranteed Solar Appointments at GridFreedom.com

It Just Got Easier for States to Launch Solar Battery Distribution Incentives

As more states aim to ramp up their energy storage capabilities, Solar United Neighbors (SUN) has unveiled an initiative that could simplify the expansion of solar battery distribution programs nationwide.

With growing interest in transitioning from pilot projects to large-scale distributed power plant (DPP) programs, SUN’s latest

move offers local governments a tool to kickstart legislative action, aiming to make solar batteries widely accessible through incentives. By drafting model legislation for state governments to use, SUN is transforming the way local governments can pursue energy distribution and grid management.

Giving the Boost Needed to Move Beyond Pilot Programs

Currently, solar battery distribution programs in many states exist in a fragmented, pilot-project phase. Often, these are very

limited in scope and lack the structured frameworks necessary for expansion. Large-scale rollouts of distributed battery

incentives are therefore a big leap. 

SUN aims to address these challenges directly by offering model language and an organized framework that local

governments can adopt and adapt. The non-profit has provided states with a legislative template to help them draft the bills necessary to bring solar battery incentives to a broader range of residents.

Additionally, they’ve drafted a model approach for states to advance distributed power plants (DPPs)—aggregations of behind-the-meter distributed energy resources

(DERs) like solar batteries—into standard, regulated programs that utilities can operate. 

The model policy and approach were made to tear down obstacles that have historically slowed down DPP adoption, such as inconsistent regulatory policies

and the need for standardized operating practices across jurisdictions. These templates provide the necessary blueprint for

utilities to operate DPPs within existing energy systems, enabling DERs to contribute to peak load reduction, grid resiliency,

and other essential services in coordination with local utilities.

As each state will face unique regulatory conditions and energy needs, SUN’s model legislation is designed to be flexible.

Local governments can adjust details to reflect their specific energy goals and policy structures, allowing similar programs to be implemented across diverse regulatory landscapes. States will be able to design DPP programs that integrate smoothly with local energy policies, grid structures, and community energy needs.

Building a Foundation for Widespread Solar Battery Incentives

Traditionally, crafting effective legislation requires extensive research, resources, and regulatory navigation—challenges

that have often left state legislators struggling to put forward comprehensive bills. SUN’s model policy simplifies the task by outlining definitions, program requirements, and eligibility criteria that state officials can use to draft bills with little extra research.

The policy establishes clear parameters around essential components, such as:

• Grid Events and Grid Services: These define when batteries are used to support grid operations, from frequency regulation to peak load shaving, ensuring the DERs provide energy precisely when the grid needs it most.

• Compensation Models: By providing examples of performance payment structures, the model ensures that compensation for battery owners is transparent and consistent, with no hidden disincentives for participation.

• Low-Income Customer Incentives: Acknowledging the need for equitable access, the model includes provisions for higher upfront payments for low- and moderate-income (LMI) customers, as well as those in environmental justice communities.

With these provisions, SUN’s model legislation empowers states to structure solar battery incentive programs around

transparent compensation and performance metrics, making it easier for DERs to participate effectively within the grid. 

Moreover, the framework empowers third-party aggregators to help streamline customer enrollment, enabling a seamless

process for those looking to join. By standardizing the participation process, the model also aims to encourage private investments, reducing utility reliance on fossil fuel-powered peaker plants during high-demand periods and ultimately lowering costs for all ratepayers.

Grid Freedom: Solar Lead Generators Help Contractors

Succeed Despite Policy Barriers

While SUN is working to make pro-solar battery incentives accessible across the country, many states are still a long way from

rolling out supportive policies. For solar installation contractors, this means operating in what is often a challenging environment. 

However, that doesn’t mean contractors are left to fend for themselves. Grid Freedom provides essential support by delivering

high-quality, pre-qualified solar leads, helping contractors grow their businesses and reach interested homeowners,

regardless of current policy limitations.

In a market where many states still lack robust solar programs, connecting with ready-to-buy customers becomes essential.

Grid Freedom pre-screens and delivers exclusive solar company leads, giving contractors an edge by ensuring they’re

engaging with homeowners who are prepared to move forward. 

As more states adopt policies based on SUN’s model legislation, the demand for solar battery installations is bound to grow.

In the meantime, contractors can stay competitive with the steady pipeline of opportunities that Grid Freedom offers.

This partnership will lay the groundwork for a thriving business when more solar-friendly policies arrive.

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