SENATE BILL 157

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2026

INTRODUCED BY

Harold Pope and Jeff Steinborn

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO UTILITIES; ALLOWING FOR THE USE OF PORTABLE SOLAR GENERATION DEVICES.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Public Utility Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] PORTABLE SOLAR GENERATION DEVICES.--

          A. As used in this section, "portable solar generation device" means a movable photovoltaic generation device that:

                (1) has a maximum power output of not more than one thousand nine hundred twenty watts;

                (2) is designed to connect directly to the electrical system of a building using a one hundred twenty volt alternating current standard electrical outlet;

                (3) is used to offset the on-site electricity consumption of the owner or operator of the portable solar generation device;

                (4) includes a device or feature that prevents the device from energizing a building's electrical system or backfeeding into a utility's system during a power outage;

                (5) meets the standards of the New Mexico electrical code adopted by the construction industries commission; and

                (6) is certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.

          B. An owner or operator of a portable solar generation device is exempt from interconnection and net-metering requirements, regardless of whether the owner or operator is served by a public utility. Any electricity generated by the portable solar generation device that flows onto the utility's system shall be considered non-compensated energy.

          C. A public utility shall not require an owner or operator of a portable solar generation device to:

                (1) obtain the public utility's approval before installing or using a portable solar generation device;

                (2) provide notification or registration for the use of a portable solar generation device;

                (3) pay a fee or charge related to the portable solar generation device or the electricity the portable solar generation device feeds into a building's electrical system; or

                (4) install additional controls or equipment beyond what is integrated into the portable solar generation device.

          D. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3-18-32 NMSA 1978, a covenant, restriction or condition contained in an instrument affecting the transfer, sale or use, or an interest in real property that effectively prohibits the installation or use, of a portable solar generation device is void and unenforceable."

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