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Home  /  Solar site surveys  /  New Mexico

Solar site surveys · New Mexico

Solar site surveys in New Mexico

A technician on the roof, in the attic and at the service panel, with the survey read against the code editions, AHJs and utilities that apply in New Mexico.

Book a 15-min callWhat changes in New Mexico
NEC 2020Electrical code in effect
2Utilities covered here
48 hrsSurvey to deliverable
Nationwide500+ technicians
Short answer

New Mexico adopts its construction codes statewide through the Construction Industries Division: the 2020 NEC (mandatory since September 2023) and a residential code based on the 2021 IRC, with the State Fire Marshal on the 2021 IFC. PNM and El Paso Electric offer net metering under a Public Regulation Commission rule, and the Solar Rights Act voids covenants that effectively ban solar. Surveys should expect intense sun, modest snow loads in Albuquerque, and city or county permitting.

What changes in New Mexico

The capture spec is the same everywhere. What the engineer and the plan reviewer read it against is not.

NM · METROSAlbuquerque
Code stack
2020NEC 2020National Electrical Code · effective Mar 28, 2023. The 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code (14.10.4 NMAC) adopts the 2020 NEC with state amendments. It took effect March 28, 2023, and after September 28, 2023 permits could only be issued under it; as of September 2026 the Construction Industries Division still lists it as the current electrical code.1,2
2021IRC 2021The New Mexico Residential Building Code (14.7.3 NMAC) adopts the 2021 IRC with state amendments. It took effect July 14, 2023, with permits allowed under the older rule until December 14, 2023.3,2
2021IFC 2021The State Fire Marshal adopted the 2021 IFC under 10.25.5 NMAC, effective November 1, 2022, and local fire authorities may adopt stricter rules; Albuquerque runs its own fire code on the 2021 IFC with city amendments.4,5
2021Energy Code 2021The 2021 New Mexico Residential Energy Conservation Code (14.7.6 NMAC) took effect July 30, 2024.2
Rooftop fire access. Rooftop PV access follows the pathway and setback rules of the adopted 2021 IRC (Section R324.6) and 2021 IFC; CID's residential rule does not amend the IRC solar section. In Albuquerque the permit checklist asks for a scaled site plan showing street access, arrays, disconnects, ridge and eave lines and access pathways, and commercial projects must follow the Albuquerque Fire Department's PV installation guidelines.3,4,6

Climate and site factors

Grid capacity

PNM's process starts with checking capacity availability on its online map, then design, application, technical review and inspections before permission to operate, and new systems need IEEE 1547-2018 inverters.7

Snow and wind

Albuquerque's Building Safety handouts use a 20 psf ground snow load and a 16-inch frost depth; outside the city, loads follow the jurisdiction's design criteria and elevation.8,9

Roof structure

Albuquerque asks for a New Mexico structural engineer's review of the existing roof when there is more than one roof covering, when point loads exceed 45 pounds or a member carries more than 200 pounds of added load, or when framing is over-spanned.6

HOAs and solar rights

Associations may regulate solar but not in a way that effectively prohibits it, and a recorded solar right can protect access to sunlight from later obstructions.10

Permitting in New Mexico

Who reviews the plan set, and what the state layers on top.

Utilities and interconnection

The utility decides the interconnection path and what an exported kilowatt-hour is worth.

Public Service Company of New Mexico PNM

The state's largest electric utility, serving more than 550,000 customers in greater Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe and other communities. Applications go online through PNM's customer solar program, and since April 1, 2024 new systems must use inverters that meet IEEE 1547-2018.15,7

Interconnection page ↗

El Paso Electric EPE

Serves southern New Mexico, including Las Cruces. Small systems apply through EPE's online portal with a $150 fee, and net metering is limited to systems expected to produce no more than 120% of the customer's annual use.16

Interconnection page ↗
Export compensation. The PRC's rule 17.9.570 NMAC lets utilities credit or pay small customer generators for net excess energy at the utility's energy rate, with unused credits carried forward month to month and paid out if the customer leaves. PNM banks net excess from systems of 10 kW or less as kWh credits that do not expire and pays for excess from larger systems at its Rate 12, as of September 2026.17,18

What we capture on every New Mexico survey

One standard, one visit, the same record in New Mexico as everywhere else. What it gets checked against is the code stack above.

Roof and structure

  • Measured roof planes: pitch, azimuth, dimensions
  • Every penetration and obstruction, located
  • Rafter or truss size, spacing and span
  • Decking type and condition
  • Layer count at a cut edge
  • Setbacks and fire pathway constraints
  • Horizon shading capture per array area

Electrical and interconnection

  • Main breaker and bus bar rating, photographed separately
  • Meter location and configuration
  • Slot count: used, open, tandem, double-tapped
  • Available interconnection points
  • Existing loads and sub-panels
  • Conduit route, measured along the actual path
  • Grounding electrode and bonding path

Commercial buildings

  • Membrane type, age and condition, with drainage pattern
  • Bar joist depth, spacing and span
  • Deck type and gauge
  • Switchgear and available bus capacity
  • Access and lift constraints for the install crew

Every visit

  • Roof and electrical in one visit, no second trip
  • 48-hour turnaround from survey to deliverable
  • Photo documentation throughout
  • Permit sets available, stamped, 6 days from survey

New Mexico solar survey FAQ

Which NEC edition applies to solar in New Mexico?

The 2020 NEC, adopted statewide as the 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code (14.10.4 NMAC), effective March 28, 2023 and mandatory for permits after September 28, 2023. Some secondary sites list the 2023 NEC, but the state's rule and CID's code list still show 2020 as of September 2026.1,2

How does net metering work for PNM customers?

For systems of 10 kW or less, PNM credits net excess generation as kWh credits on the next bill that do not expire, and pays any remaining credits at Rate 12 when the account closes; larger systems are paid for excess energy at Rate 12 each month.18,17

Can an HOA ban solar panels in New Mexico?

No. Under the Solar Rights Act, covenants that effectively prohibit solar collectors are void, though associations may still set rules that do not amount to a prohibition.10

Is there a state solar tax credit in New Mexico?

Yes. The New Solar Market Development Tax Credit pays 10% of eligible costs, up to $6,000 per taxpayer, for systems installed from 2025 through 2031, while the $30 million annual cap lasts.14

What does El Paso Electric require for net metering in New Mexico?

EPE limits net metering to systems expected to produce no more than 120% of the customer's annual consumption, and small systems apply online with a $150 fee before a bi-directional meter is installed.16

Services and further reading

Metro pages for New Mexico: Albuquerque.

Residential

Roof, attic and service panel in one visit

Explore →

Commercial & Industrial

Roof, structure and switchgear

Explore →

Utility-Scale

Terrain, build and operations

Explore →

Site surveys

Roof and electrical, one visit

Explore →

Permitting & engineering

Stamped sets, six days from survey

Explore →

Shading analysis

SA, TOF and TSRF per plane

Explore →

From Field Notes

Sources

Every local fact on this page links to where it came from. Codes, programs and tariffs change: confirm the current requirement with the AHJ and the utility before you design.

  1. https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title14/14.010.0004.html
  2. https://www.rld.nm.gov/construction-industries/rules-laws-and-building-codes/
  3. https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title14/14.007.0003.html
  4. https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title10/10.025.0005.html
  5. https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/albuquerque/latest/albuquerque_nm/0-0-0-133072
  6. https://documents.cabq.gov/planning/BuildingSafety/Roof%20Mounted%20Solar%20Checklist.pdf
  7. https://www.pnm.com/customer-solar-program1
  8. https://documents.cabq.gov/planning/BuildingSafety/Storage%20Building.pdf
  9. https://documents.cabq.gov/planning/BuildingSafety/Covered%20Patio.pdf
  10. https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/ECMD/RenewableEnergy/SolarRightsAct.html
  11. https://www.cabq.gov/planning/building-safety-division/express-permitting-system
  12. https://www.bernco.gov/planning/wp-content/uploads/sites/58/2024/02/SOLAR-PACKET-4.21.2023-updated.pdf
  13. https://law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/chapter-3/article-18/section-3-18-32/
  14. https://clean.energy.nm.gov/new-solar-market-development-tax-credit-nsmdtc/
  15. https://www.pnm.com/about-pnm
  16. https://www.epelectric.com/residential/rooftop-solar/new-mexico-interconnection-of-facilities-less-than-10-kw
  17. https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-mexico/17-9-570-14-NMAC
  18. https://www.pnm.com/solar-interconnection-benefits

Researched September 30, 2026.

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