The U.S.’s oldest community solar developer is celebrating the completion of its latest project, as SunShare cut the ribbon on the Juniper Sol Community Solar Garden in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Developed in conjunction with local solar firm CSolPower, the 6 MWdc project reached commercial operation July 1. Sitting on about 31 acres of land, the site will be able to power nearly 2,000 homes and avoid 261 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, company representatives estimate.

“Our nation’s electricity needs are rapidly growing, and the Juniper Sol project demonstrates how community-based solar can cost-effectively and quickly meet that demand,” says David Amster-Olszewski, CEO and founder of the Denver-based SunShare. “At the same time, these types of projects bring wide-ranging benefits, such as to the 2,000 families who are saving on electricity costs for the next 25 years with their subscriptions to this garden.”

The solar garden also incorporates dual-use and agrivoltaic practices, according to SunShare officials. The project will include native, pollinator-friendly habitats both under and around the solar panels in the garden.

Deb Haaland, a former U.S. Secretary of the Interior and a candidate for New Mexico’s governorship, says the state has an opportunity to expand creative and smart local projects as it consistently looks to combat spiking utility bills. This project and other community solar sites like it are perfect examples, she adds.

“People shouldn’t have to choose between putting gas in their car, paying for groceries, or paying their electricity bill. That’s why projects like this are so important,” Haaland says. “Juniper Sol is making the cost-saving benefits of renewable energy accessible to all, including renters and those who can’t afford the upfront installation of solar.”

As part of SunShare’s wider community development commitment, the company also pledged more than $7 million in donations to the to Navajo Technical University, the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women, and Habitat for Humanity.

Tiffany Jiron, executive director of the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women, says the financial support will go to to a good cause, as the organization aims to support survivors of abuse across New Mexico.

“This partnership demonstrates how renewable energy can generate lasting benefits not only for the environment,” she says, “but also for our communities.”

About 50% of the solar garden’s subscribers are also income qualified, the company says, with some residing in SunShare’s affordable housing partnerships. Developed alongside with Yes! Housing and Catholic Charities, those subscribers will be able to take advantage of “meaningful reductions” on their home energy bills.

“This solar farm will generate clean energy, but this partnership has the potential to generate something just as important: opportunity,” says Dr. Elmer Guy, president of Navajo Technical University.

SunShare also cut the ribbon on a similar garden, the 4.5 MWdc Rockhound Sol Community Solar Garden in Deming, New Mexico, on the same day.

Tags: agrivoltaics, Community Solar, New Mexico, project, SunShare