State law · New Mexico
New Mexico has no plug-in solar law in force from SB 157 as of October 14, 2026. The bill did not pass, so its proposed utility exemptions and property protections do not apply. That does not establish that every grid-connected kit is legal or illegal.
SB 157 was deferred to the 2027 session; there is no state plug-in solar law yet.
Checked October 14, 2026
460 kWh used at home × 15.08¢ = $69.41; 474 kWh sent to the grid unpaid, 0 kWh lost to the inverter limit. At New Mexico's average rate (EIA).
Residential average, January to July 2026 (EIA Electric Power Monthly).
Open the calculatorStatusSecondary source reports the bill was deferred to 2027; the legislature website shows action was postponed indefinitely.
SB 157 remains a proposal, not an enacted law. Bright Saver describes it as deferred to the 2027 session, while the legislature’s website records “Action Postponed Indefinitely.” A return is expected, but those status descriptions are not the same.
If passed as described, the bill would cover devices with up to 1,920 W of AC inverter output, rather than panel DC capacity. It would exempt qualifying devices from interconnection and net-metering requirements and prevent utilities from requiring approval before installation. Electricity flowing onto the utility’s system would be “non-compensated energy.”
The proposed definition requires a system that “is certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory,” meets New Mexico electrical code standards and prevents energizing the building or utility system during an outage. The bill would also invalidate property covenants that effectively prohibit these devices. It does not state a specific renter protection.
A portable power station charged by a panel offers an option without feeding electricity into your home’s wiring or the grid. EcoFlow identifies solar charging as an option for its DELTA Pro 3. If you own your home, you can also request rooftop solar quotes rather than wait for this proposal.
For a future permitted installation, the calculator gives a vertical, south-facing kit near New Mexico’s population center—with 800 W of panels and an 800 W inverter limit—934 kWh in a typical year. With a 164 W home base load, 460 kWh is used at home, worth $69 a year at 15.08 cents/kWh; 474 kWh goes to the grid with no export payment assumed. These are comparison estimates, not permission to connect; use the calculator to compare your location and placement.
SB 157’s proposed exemption from utility approval is not in force. Before buying a grid-connected kit, ask your utility what requirements apply; do not treat the proposal as permission to connect.
The bill would invalidate property covenants that effectively prohibit qualifying devices, but that protection has not become law. It does not state a specific renter protection, so check with your landlord or HOA before buying.
SB 157 would require certification of the system by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, alongside electrical-code compliance and outage protection. These are proposed requirements, not enacted rules; check the actual system certification rather than assuming a component certificate covers the whole kit.