Portales approves community solar project; developer says array will occupy about 7–8 acres

The Portales Planning Commission unanimously approved PC‑2025‑2026‑20, allowing a commercial community solar facility to be constructed on parcels that span city and county boundaries at 903 North Avenue O.

Ryan Falton, a project developer with Sunvest Solar, briefed commissioners on the project, saying the city‑parcel is about 14 acres and that the fenced solar array would cover roughly 7 to 8 acres. "We would anticipate the solar array taking up approximately 7 to 8 acres inside of the fence," Falton said. He told the commission Sunvest has partnered with Somos Energy of Santa Fe and secured an interconnection agreement with Excel Energy.

Falton described expected benefits: the array could produce enough energy for approximately 300 average New Mexico homes and local customers could subscribe through the community solar model, with subscribers typically seeing 20–30% reductions on supply rates. He also explained operational details: tracking panels (10–12 feet tall at peak), low daytime noise, minimal ongoing traffic after construction, and no permanent buildings or routine lighting on site. The developer said typical project leases run 25 years with two five‑year extension options; if the project ends, the site would be decommissioned, panels recycled as feasible and the land returned to agricultural use.

Commissioners questioned lease length and panel disposal; Falton said warranties and decommissioning plans are standard and that panels can be recycled or replaced if damaged. After the public hearing and presentation the commission voted to approve the project; staff recorded a unanimous roll call.