SANTA FE – The construction of solar carports in the parking lots of four New Mexico government buildings begins later this month.
It’s part of the General Services Department’s State Buildings Green Energy Project – an initiative to cut the energy consumption of 30 buildings in Santa Fe and reduce state government’s carbon footprint.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has made reducing emissions of climate-warming gases a priority of her administration.
The $32 million Green Energy Project began in 2019 and also includes construction of rooftop solar on 16 buildings, installation of window film, water conservation measures and upgrades to HVAC systems and controls, lighting and transformers.
When the project is completed later this year, it is expected to reduce electric bills for the buildings by 50% and save the state more than $1 million annually.
Total cost of the carports at the Montoya, Simms, PERA and Chino buildings is $9.7 million.
