Climate Change Solutions Update

Tag: New Mexico

  • Nuveen invests $546m in SunZia wind and transmission project

    The SunZia project, developed by Pattern Energy, is a large-scale wind and transmission project in the US that became fully operational in June 2026. It includes a 3.65GW wind facility and a 550-mile high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line linking New Mexico and Arizona. Nuveen has finalized a $546m preferred equity investment in SunZia through its infrastructure credit investment platform, aiming to provide flexible funding to developers of major energy infrastructure projects. The project is designed to deliver renewable energy to power around one million homes per year, highlighting the increasing focus on energy generation and transmission infrastructure in the pursuit of climate solutions.

    https://www.power-technology.com/news/nuveen-invests-in-sunzia/

  • Aptera Proved Its Solar Generation, Now It Needs To Prove Its Efficiency

    Aptera's latest solar tests on their validation vehicle aim to achieve a 40-mile daily solar range by hitting an efficiency design target of 100 watt-hours per mile, with aerodynamics and rolling resistance playing key roles. The company plans to undergo third-party validation in July to confirm the real-world efficiency of their vehicle. Achieving a 100 Wh/mile target in electric vehicles could redefine what EVs are capable of, making them more affordable and accessible for users without home charging options. The hope is to see improvements in range for EVs, even in areas with less sunlight like New Mexico, to make EV adoption more convenient for a wider range of users.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/06/27/aptera-proved-its-solar-generation-now-it-needs-to-prove-its-efficiency/

  • Pattern Energy launches SunZia energy project in US

    Pattern Energy Group has launched the SunZia renewable energy project, which includes a 3.65GW wind facility and a 550-mile HVDC transmission line to transmit power from New Mexico to Arizona and the western grid. This project has the capacity to supply electricity to approximately one million US households annually and has created over 2,000 jobs during construction. With an investment of over $20bn and $1.3bn in direct payments to various entities over 30 years, SunZia showcases the potential for large-scale renewable energy projects. The HVDC technology utilized in the project enables efficient long-distance electricity transfer, addressing grid infrastructure limitations in the energy sector and providing a promising solution for sustainable energy production.

    https://www.power-technology.com/news/pattern-energy-launches-sunzia/

  • California gas generation down 60% from 2024 as solar, imports surge

    In the first five months of 2026, utility-scale solar generation in California surpassed natural gas generation, with solar increasing by 21% and natural gas decreasing by 60% compared to 2024. Solar generated more electricity than natural gas on 82% of days in 2026, while solar and battery storage capacity grew significantly. Despite this growth, there was a 19% decrease in net generation due to increased electricity imports, including renewable energy from projects like the SunZia wind farm in New Mexico. The SunZia project, the largest wind farm in the U.S., began delivering electricity in April and is set to begin commercial operations soon.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/california-gas-generation-down-60-percent-from-2024-as-solar-and-imports-surge/823104/

  • New Mexico jump-starts massive tree planting after wildfires

    New Mexico is launching a large-scale reforestation initiative to address wildfire damage, with a goal of producing 5 million seedlings annually by 2030. The state plans to plant 390 million trees across 1.5 million acres affected by fires, as climate change exacerbates wildfires in arid Western states like New Mexico. The urgency of these efforts is heightened by the federal government's decreased involvement in fire mitigation and disaster recovery. Reforestation is seen as a crucial climate solution to combat the increasing threat of wildfires in the region.

    https://www.eenews.net/articles/new-mexico-jump-starts-massive-tree-planting-after-wildfires/

  • Largest US renewable project begins generating electricity

    The largest renewable energy project in the US, SunZia Wind, has begun generating electricity with 916 turbines in New Mexico. The 3.5-gigawatt wind development will deliver power to California over a 550-mile transmission line, crucial for meeting the state's clean energy goals. Despite facing delays and opposition, the project is seen as a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions and meeting energy demands. SunZia's integration into the grid is helping to retire polluting natural gas plants in environmental justice communities and increase renewable energy generation, surpassing other major wind projects in the US in terms of size and operational progress.

    https://www.eenews.net/articles/largest-us-renewable-project-begins-generating-electricity/

  • US Perovskite Solar Cell Startup Hits The Ground Running

    Solar manufacturing in the US has seen a resurgence, with 65 new or expanded solar and energy storage factories commissioned in 2025, surpassing 60 gigawatts of domestic solar module production capacity. The entire solar supply chain has been re-shored, strengthening the case for solar power despite potential risks to factories under federal energy policy. US startup Swift Solar has acquired the intellectual property and manufacturing assets of Meyer Burger to produce tandem silicon-perovskite solar cells, aiming to increase efficiency beyond the current 30% ceiling. High-efficiency solar panels offer benefits such as land savings and cost reduction, with opportunities for agrivoltaic projects. UbiQD in New Mexico is scaling up manufacturing of perovskite solar cells, while a US startup is fueling growth in silicon-perovskite solar cell technology through the acquisition of assets from a bankrupt German firm.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/03/12/us-perovskite-solar-cell-startup-hits-the-ground-running/

  • Nuvve Selected for 40 MWh of Battery-as-a-Service Projects from Kit Carson Electric Cooperative in New Mexico

    Kit Carson Electric Cooperative has partnered with Nuvve New Mexico to deploy battery energy storage systems in northern New Mexico, providing peak load mitigation, grid resiliency, and market participation. This Battery-as-a-Service model allows KCEC to access grid infrastructure without upfront capital investment, supporting healthcare operations and enhancing community services. Nuvve's technology turns batteries, electric vehicles, and buildings into grid resources, enabling bidirectional charging and load optimization for a more resilient and sustainable grid. The collaboration aims to explore future opportunities for grid modernization and advance flexible energy solutions globally.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/30/nuvve-selected-for-40-mwh-of-battery-as-a-service-projects-from-kit-carson-electric-cooperative-in-new-mexico/

  • Native American Heritage Month: how Tribal Communities are leading the clean energy transition

    The Zuni Youth Enrichment Project in New Mexico has installed a 27-kilowatt solar array at their youth center with support from Everybody Solar, generating over 48,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually to offset energy use and reduce carbon emissions. This clean energy project allows the organization to redirect energy savings towards expanding cultural education and wellness initiatives for Zuni youth and families, while also fostering community connections and sustainable futures. Tribal Nations, including ZYEP, are reclaiming control over their energy futures to reduce energy burden, insulate themselves from price volatility, and keep more dollars in the local economy, showcasing local leadership and energy sovereignty in action. Native communities are leading the way toward sustainability by investing in clean energy, strengthening cultural identity, expanding opportunity, and ensuring a livable planet for future generations.

    https://generation180.org/blog/native-american-heritage-month-how-tribal-communities-are-leading-the-clean-energy-transition/