NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, 

Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, operated by the 

Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308

Feasibility Study of Economics 

and Performance of Solar 

Photovoltaics at the Chino Mine 

in Silver City, New Mexico

A Study Prepared in Partnership with the 

Environmental Protection Agency for the 

RE-Powering America’s Land Initiative: 

Siting Renewable Energy on Potentially 

Contaminated Land and Mine Sites

Kosol Kiatreungwattana, Jesse Geiger, 

Victoria Healey, and Gail Mosey

Produced under direction of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

(EPA) by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) under 

Interagency Agreement IAG-09-1751 and Task No. WFD3.1001.

Technical Report

NREL/TP-7A30-57959

April 2013
NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy 

Efficiency & Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

15013 Denver West Parkway

Golden, CO 80401

303-275-3000 • www.nrel.gov

Feasibility Study of Economics 

and Performance of Solar 

Photovoltaics at the Chino Mine 

in Silver City, New Mexico 

A Study Prepared in Partnership with the 

Environmental Protection Agency for the 

RE-Powering America’s Land Initiative: 

Siting Renewable Energy on Potentially 

Contaminated Land and Mine Sites

Kosol Kiatreungwattana, Jesse Geiger, 

Victoria Healey, and Gail Mosey

Prepared under Task No. WFD3.1001

Technical Report

NREL/TP-7A30-57959

April 2013
NOTICE

This manuscript has been authored by employees of the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC (“Alliance”) under 

Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308 with the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”).

This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States government. 

Neither the United States government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, 

express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of 

any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately 

owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, 

trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, 

or favoring by the United States government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed 

herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States government or any agency thereof.

Cover Photos: (left to right) PIX 16416, PIX 17423, PIX 16560, PIX 17613, PIX 17436, PIX 17721

Printed on paper containing at least 50% wastepaper, including 10% post consumer waste. 
iii

Acknowledgments

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) thanks the U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA) for its interest in securing NREL’s technical expertise. In particular, NREL and 

the assessment team for this project are grateful to the Chino Mine facility managers, engineers, 

and operators for their generous assistance and cooperation. 

Special thanks go to Lura Matthews, Jessica Trice, Shea Jones, and Petra Sanchez from EPA; 

Katie Brown, AAAS Science & Technology Policy fellow hosted by EPA; Kurt Vollbrecht from 

the New Mexico Environment Department for his input on environmental considerations; Ron 

Ludington from Public Service of New Mexico (PNM); and Nick Sussillo, Michael Sauber, 

Denise Smith, and Terry Timme from Silver City for hosting the visit. The authors would also 

like to thank Timothy Eastep and Don Stoneberger from Freeport–McMoRan for hosting and 

facilitating the site visit. 
iv

Executive Summary

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in accordance with the RE-Powering 

America’s Land initiative, selected the Chino Mine site in Silver City, New Mexico, for a 

feasibility study of renewable energy production. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory 

(NREL) provided technical assistance for this project. The purpose of this report is to assess the 

site for a possible photovoltaic (PV) system installation and estimate the cost, performance, and 

site impacts of different PV options. In addition, the report recommends financing options that 

could assist in the implementation of a PV system at the site. This study did not assess 

environmental conditions at the site. 

The Chino Mine is located near the town of Hurley in Grant County, New Mexico, about 

12 miles east of Silver City. Chino Mine, which is owned by Freeport-McMoRan Incorporated 

(FMI), is one of the largest open-pit copper mines in the world, covering over 9,000 acres. There 

are three sites for this study. Site 1 is a smelter facility that has 23 acres, and site reclamation is

complete. Site 2 has 277 acres, and site reclamation has begun and is scheduled to be complete 

by the end of 2014. Site 3 is the largest site with 1,700 acres, and reclamation was complete at

the end of 2012. 

The town of Silver City has three community benefit goals that have evolved over time starting 

with the application for technical assistance from EPA for this feasibility study. Given existing 

implementation constraints, the following goals may need creative solutions to be executed in 

the future: 

• Expand regional deployment of renewable energy and support FMI’s sustainable 

development framework. The FMI initiative provides an opportunity to further pursue 

regional deployment of renewable energy and support the area’s largest employer. 

• Offset municipal electric costs of the mining district. An evolving goal of this solar 

project is to provide a substantial economic benefit to the mining district community by 

offsetting their municipal electric costs.

• Offset municipal electric costs of proposed regional water system. Silver City and the 

mining district are planning the expansion and integration of individual water systems to 

a regional water distribution system whose pumping costs may be offset in large part by 

solar generation. 

The feasibility of a PV system installed is highly impacted by the available area for an array, the 

solar resource, distance to transmission lines, and distance to major roads. The potential closest 

electrical tie-in location is at the Hurley substation. Having a substation on-site makes it an ideal 

location for a PV system to tie into. A detailed interconnection study is recommended and will 

have to be performed through the local electric utility, Public Service of New Mexico (PNM), or 

a third party to determine the feasibility of utilizing the on-site substation as a tie-in point for a 

PV system. The Chino Mine site is suitable for a large-scale PV system because it is nearly flat, 

has adequate road and solar access, is zoned for industrial uses, and has extensive electrical 

distribution to the whole site. PV cost for crystalline panels has come down dramatically and 

become competitive with thin-film technology. For this analysis, we assumed crystalline PV 

panels for this analysis. Per discussion with the geologist from the state of New Mexico, using 

driven piles for a ground-mounted system would be acceptable for the Chino Mine site if there 

was no depression next to the piles in the dirt, but in fact a small mound around each one to keep 
v 

water from pooling around it. Additional considerations could be associated with designing, 

installing, and operating the PV system in order to maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the 

remediation solution or cap on the reclaimed tailings. Although a tracking system can produce 

more electricity, it has higher capital and long-term maintenance costs. Therefore, a fixed-tilt, 

ground-mounted PV system that uses driven piles is recommended for this study. Estimated PV 

system size and generated electricity is presented in Table ES-1. 

Table ES-1. Estimated Electricity Production for Each Site

Site

Estimated PV 

Capacity 

(MW)

Annual Electricity Production 

(MWh/yr)

Annual Energy Value 

($)

Site 1 4 6,848 753,280

Site 2 48 82,176 9,039,360 

Site 3 296 506,752 55,742,720

Total 348 595,776 65,535,360 

The Chino Mine site has significant on-site energy use. Annual on-site electricity consumption of 

the Hurley area is approximately 15,684 MWh/yr (calculated using average monthly 

consumption). Chino Mine is primarily served by the wholesale electricity market. PNM does 

not supply the electricity to Chino Mine, so they are not obligated to net meter. Further 

negotiation with PNM and the public utility commission (PUC) could be required for a netmetering arrangement in the future. Currently, net metering is not an available option for the site. 

The economic performance of a PV system installed on the site is evaluated using a combination 

of the assumptions and background information discussed previously, as well as a number of 

industry-specific inputs determined by other studies. In particular, this study uses the NREL 

System Advisor Model (SAM). Using varied inputs and the assumptions summarized in 

Section 5 of this report, the SAM tool predicts net present value (NPV), power purchase 

agreements (PPA), and levelized cost of energy (LCOE), among other economic indicators. 

To evaluate employment and economic impacts of the PV project associated with this analysis, 

NREL’s Jobs and Economic Development Impact (JEDI) models are used. JEDI estimates the 

economic impacts associated with the construction and operation of distributed generation power 

plants. It is a flexible input-output tool that estimates, but does not precisely predict, the number 

of jobs and economic impacts that can be reasonably supported by the proposed facility. 

There are three scenarios for the analysis. All detailed assumptions and results for the analysis 

can be found in the appendices.
vi 

Case 1—Investor owned/PPA with 348 MW 

This case assumes a third-party investor exists for the PV system. All electricity is assumed to be 

sold. The results of this case are to estimate the electricity rate as a PPA to receive an acceptable 

return on investment (15% internal rate of return). 

Case 2—Developer owned/PPA with 348 MW 

This case assumes FMI owns the PV system. All electricity will be sold as a PPA with PNM or 

an interstate utility at the rate of $0.055/kWh. 

Case 3—Developer owned/virtual net metering with 348 MW

Virtual net metering (VNM) is currently not available in New Mexico. Case 3 is to demonstrate 

the potential economic benefits for this option. This case assumes FMI owns the PV system. All 

electricity would be VNM to generate credits at a retail electricity rate that can be used to offset 

charges at one or more other locations within the same geographic boundary. Retail electricity 

rate at $0.11/kWh is used for this analysis. 

Results

Three scenarios were run for the Chino Mine to encompass the options available to this site. The 

independent variables include a third-party developer versus existing site ownership. There are 

multiple factors that go into choosing which scenario to pursue beyond NPV, PPA, and LCOE.

Table ES-2 shows the modeled results from the different scenarios.

Case 1—Investor owned/PPA will work if the investor can sell the electricity of the PPA at 

$0.0727/kWh. Because the retail rate of the electricity at $0.045/kWh is a lot lower than that of 

the PPA, the Chino Mine is unlikely to buy this electricity. In addition, PNM’s purchase rate is 

estimated to be approximately $0.055/kWh which is lower than PPA. Therefore, it is unlikely a 

solar investor would invest, given current conditions. 

Case 2—Developer owned/PPA has a positive NPV and shows the low LCOE of $0.0454/kWh. 

The developer can develop the feasible project and then sell the electricity to the utility at 

$0.055/kWh. This case is economically viable with a NPV of $4,615,125 and payback of 

14 years. 

Case 3—Developer owned/virtual net metering shows a positive NPV and a feasible shorter 

payback of 7 years. Therefore, this case has the best economic scenario. 
vii 

Table ES-2. PV System Summary

Investor-Owned Cases

Capacity 

(MW)

LCOE 

($/kWh)

NPV 

($)

PPA 

($/kWh)

Payback 

(yr)

Case 1—Investor owned/PPA 348 0.0821 $21,307,301 0.0727 N/A

Case 2—Developer owned/PPA 348 0.0454 $4,615,125 - 14

Case 3—Developer owned/virtual net

metering 348 0.0454 $275,789,664 - 7 

Conclusion

The Chino Mine site is suitable for a large-scale PV system because it is nearly flat, has adequate 

road and solar access, is zoned for industrial uses, and has extensive electrical distribution to the 

whole site. PV projects can provide a viable, beneficial reuse, and in many cases, generate 

significant revenue on a site that would otherwise go unused. The PV projects will also support 

the community benefit goals. In addition, the PV projects can have other economic impacts to 

the local area, such as the number of created jobs and the installation of a distributed-generation 

facility that would have on it not only the manufacturers of PV modules and inverters but also 

the associated construction materials, metal fabrication industry, project management support, 

transportation, and other industries that are required to enable the procurement and installation of 

the complete system. To find potential buyers for the generated electricity through a PPA at a 

reasonable price, whether they are a local or interstate utility company, will be a key to the 

project development. Based on the analysis, the developer-owned PV project becomes feasible 

with a PPA agreement at the rate of $0.055/kWh and above. The rate of $0.055/kWh is the rate 

that the utility is offering to pay for. Therefore, it is highly probable the PV project for this case

is feasible. VNM, while currently not available, can also be a good option to sell the electricity 

credits to one or other locations if the state allows. The VNM arrangement might be pursued 

with the PUC in the future. Furthermore, any environmental considerations shall be included in 

the request for proposal during project development. 
viii

Table of Contents

1 Study and Site Background................................................................................................................. 1

2 Development of a PV System on Contaminated Land...................................................................... 4

3 PV Systems ........................................................................................................................................... 6

3.1 PV Overview .................................................................................................................................... 6

3.2 Major System Components .............................................................................................................. 7

3.2.1 PV Module .......................................................................................................................... 7

3.2.2 Inverter ................................................................................................................................ 9

3.2.3 Balance-of-System Components ....................................................................................... 10

3.2.4 Operation and Maintenance .............................................................................................. 12

3.3 Siting Considerations ..................................................................................................................... 12

4 Proposed Installation Location Information .................................................................................... 13

4.1 Chino Mine Site PV System .......................................................................................................... 13

4.2 Utility-Resource Considerations .................................................................................................... 16

4.3 Useable Acreage for PV System Installation ................................................................................. 16

4.4 PV Site Solar Resource .................................................................................................................. 17

4.5 Chino Mine Energy Usage ............................................................................................................. 18

4.5.1 Net Metering ..................................................................................................................... 19

4.5.2 Virtual Net Metering ......................................................................................................... 19

5 Economics and Performance............................................................................................................ 20

5.1 Assumptions and Input Data for Analysis ..................................................................................... 20

5.2 SAM-Forecasted Economic Performance ...................................................................................... 22

5.2.1 Results ............................................................................................................................... 23

5.3 Job Analysis and Impact ................................................................................................................ 24

5.4 Financing Opportunities................................................................................................................. 25

5.4.1 Owner and Operator Financing ......................................................................................... 25

5.4.2 Third-Party Developers with Power Purchase Agreements .............................................. 26

5.4.3 Third-Party “Flip” Agreements......................................................................................... 26

5.4.4 Hybrid Financial Structures .............................................................................................. 27

5.4.5 Solar Services Agreement and Operating Lease ............................................................... 27

5.4.6 Sale/Leaseback .................................................................................................................. 27

5.4.7 Community Solar/Solar Gardens ...................................................................................... 28

6 Conclusions and Recommendations ............................................................................................... 29

Appendix A. Assessment and Calculations Assumptions ................................................................... 31

Appendix B. Solar Access Measurements ............................................................................................. 32

Appendix C. Results of the JEDI Model.................................................................................................. 33

Appendix D. Assumptions and Results of the System Advisor Model ............................................... 38

Case 3 Results ...................................................................................................................................... 38

Assumptions for Inputs (For case 3 as the best economic results) ....................................................... 40
ix

List of Figures

Figure 1. Generation of electricity from a PV cell ...........................................................................6

Figure 2. Ground-mounted array diagram .......................................................................................7

Figure 3. Mono-crystalline and multi-crystalline solar panels ........................................................8

Figure 4. Thin-film solar panels installed on (left) solar energy cover and (middle/right) 

fixed-tilt mounting system .........................................................................................................9

Figure 5. String inverter .................................................................................................................10

Figure 6. Aerial view of Chino Mine sites .....................................................................................13

Figure 7. Views of the feasible area for PV at site 1 of the Chino Mine .......................................14

Figure 8. Views of the feasible area for PV at site 2 of the Chino Mine .......................................15

Figure 9. Views of the feasible area for PV at site 3 of the Chino Mine .......................................15

Figure 10. Electrical tie-in point of 24-kV and 115-kV lines for the PV system at the Chino 

Mine .........................................................................................................................................16

Figure B-1. Solar access measurements for Chino Mine PV site ..................................................32

Figure D-1. PV system output .......................................................................................................39

Figure D-2. Levelized cost of energy ............................................................................................39

Figure D-3. After tax cash flow .....................................................................................................40

Figure D-4. Climate input ..............................................................................................................40

Figure D-5. Utility rate assumptions ..............................................................................................41

Figure D-6. Financing assumptions ..............................................................................................41

Figure D-7. Tax credit incentives assumptions..............................................................................42

Figure D-8. Payment incentives assumptions ...............................................................................42

Figure D-9. Annual performance assumptions .............................................................................43

Figure D-10. PV system costs ........................................................................................................43

Figure D-11. PVWatts solar array assumptions .............................................................................44

Figure D-12. Electrical loads assumptions ....................................................................................45

List of Tables

Table ES-1. Estimated Electricity Production for Each Site ...........................................................v

Table ES-2. PV System Summary ................................................................................................ vii

Table 1. Site Information and Reclamation Status ..........................................................................2

Table 2. Energy Density by Panel and System ..............................................................................11

Table 3. Area for Each Site, Estimated PV Capacity, and Distance to Utility Tie-in ...................14

Table 4. Fee for Preliminary Interconnection System Impact Study (PISIS) ................................16

Table 5. Site Identification Information and Specifications ..........................................................17

Table 6. Performance Results for 20-Degree Fixed-Tilt PV .........................................................18

Table 7. Estimated Electricity Production for Each Site ...............................................................18

Table 8. Chino Mine On-Site Monthly Electricity Consumption ..................................................19

Table 9. Installed System Cost Assumption ..................................................................................21

Table 10. Summary of Incentives Evaluated .................................................................................22

Table 11. PV System Summary .....................................................................................................24

Table 12. Potential Energy Production and Economic Impacts on Created Jobs ..........................24

Table 13. JEDI Analysis Assumptions ..........................................................................................25

Table A-1. Cost, System, and Other Assessment Assumptions ....................................................31

Table C-1. JEDI Results ................................................................................................................33

Table D-1. Case 3 Results ..............................................................................................................38
1 

1 Study and Site Background

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in accordance with the RE-Powering 

America’s Land initiative, selected the Chino Mine site near Silver City, New Mexico, 

for a feasibility study of renewable energy production. The National Renewable Energy 

Laboratory (NREL) provided technical assistance for this project. The purpose of this 

report is to assess the site for a possible photovoltaic (PV) system installation and 

estimate the cost, performance, and site impacts of different PV options. In addition, the 

report recommends financing options that could assist in the implementation of a PV 

system at the site. This study did not assess environmental conditions at the site. 

The Chino Mine is located near the town of Hurley in Grant County, New Mexico, about 

12 miles east of Silver City, which has a population of 10,315 as of the 2010 census. 

Silver City has an average high temperature in January of 50.7°F and an average high of

87.3°F in July. The average low temperature in January is 24°F, whereas the average low 

temperature in July is 59.6°F. The average total precipitation is 16.08 inches (40.8 cm) 

per year, and heavy thunderstorms and monsoons characterize July and August. Silver 

City has on average of 295 days of sunshine each year. 

Chino Mine currently buys electricity from a wholesale electricity market. Public Service 

of New Mexico (PNM) is the local utility that can buy electricity generated by renewable 

energy from Chino Mine; it is a regulated utility. PNM does not supply the electricity to 

Chino Mine, so they are not obliged to net meter with the site. Therefore, net metering 

with PNM is currently not an available option. 

Chino Mine, which is owned by Freeport-McMoRan Incorporated (FMI), is one of the 

largest open-pit copper mines in the world, covering over 9,000 acres. The Hurley 

smelter was completed in 1939 and modernized in 1984. The smelter operated until 2003 

and was decommissioned in 2007. 

In the smelter area, soil contamination resulting from smelter stack air emissions 

deposition could include metals (i.e., antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, 

lead, mercury, molybdenum, selenium, silver, and sulfate). Within the tailings area, a 

similar suite of metals could be present in low concentrations similar to what is found in 

the in situ mineralized area that is being mined. The predominance potential 

contamination pathway on the un-reclaimed areas is groundwater. A groundwater 

containment pumping system at the south end of Tailing Pond 7 intercepts all potentially 

impacted groundwater for the smelter and tailing area and pumps this water back into the 

process-water system. All surface water coming off un-reclaimed areas is also captured 

and reused in the process water system. The underlying native ground is composed of 

alluvium and the Gila Conglomerate that naturally buffers groundwater causing metal 

attenuation. The only contaminates that exceed New Mexico groundwater quality 

standards at the interception system are total dissolved solids (TDS) and sulfates. 

A major portion of the smelter was reclaimed by 2007 and is subject to monitoring 

requirements to ensure reclamation success. Parts of the smelter residuals (slag) and the 

original tailing point adjacent to the smelter site are scheduled to be reclaimed by 2014. 

Site information and reclamation status are presented in Table 1. 
2 

Table 1. Site Information and Reclamation Status

Site Acreage Description Slope Status

Site 1 23 Smelter facility Top surface: 0.5%-1.0% Reclamation was complete.

Site 2 277

Lake 1 and 

residual smelter 

material

Preliminary design: 0.5% 

(north to south)

Reclamation work will begin on 

Lake 1 and the smelter slag area; 

work is scheduled to be complete 

by the end of 2014.

Site 3 1,700

Tailing Ponds 1, 

2, B, C, 4, and 6 

Top surface: 0.5%-1.0%

Side slopes: 3.5:1 (H:V)

Top surface and side slopes are 

generally completed for Tailing 

Ponds B, C, and much of 4 and 6.

Reclamation was completed on all 

tailing ponds at the end of 2012.

The design criteria being deployed for all the reclamation activities is 3 feet of capping 

material (Gila Conglomerate) that acts as a store-and-release cover and is capable of 

supporting vegetation. The cover material is then ripped, seeded, and mulched. 

Stormwater channels are designed to convey stormwater off the reclaimed area. The 

reclaimed smelter site covers about 25 acres, and the older tailing dams cover about 

1,920 acres. The area includes pipelines, roads, monitor wells, and buildings, but most of 

the site is available for consideration of renewable energy potential. 

In the midst of remediation activities, plans are evolving to bring renewable energy 

production to the area based on the abundant solar resource. Given the substantial energy 

consumption at the mine and increasing electricity costs, both industrial and residential 

stakeholders are interested in exploring renewables as a means of offsetting and 

stabilizing energy prices. In this vein, development plans for regional water distribution 

include the investigation of the use of solar energy to power pumping stations. In addition 

to the potential cost savings, success in this regional project could also enhance regional 

sustainability and strengthen community ties.

The potential closest electrical tie-in location is at the Hurley substation. Having a 

substation on-site makes it an ideal location for a PV system to tie into. A detailed 

interconnection study is recommended and will have to be performed through local 

electric utility, PNM, or by a third party to determine the feasibility of utilizing the onsite substation as a tie-in point for a PV system. The Chino Mine site is suitable for PV 

because it is nearly flat, has adequate road and solar access, is zoned for industrial uses, 

and has extensive electrical distribution to the whole site.

The town of Silver City has three community benefit goals, which have evolved over 

time starting with the application to EPA for technical assistance for this feasibility 

study. Given existing implementation constraints, the following goals may need creative 

solutions to be executed in the future: 

• Expand regional deployment of renewable energy and support FreeportMcMoRan Incorporated’s (FMI) sustainable development framework. The FMI 

initiative provides an opportunity to further pursue regional deployment of 

renewable energy and support the area’s largest employer. 
3 

• Offset municipal electric costs of the mining district. An evolving goal of this 

solar project is to provide a substantial economic benefit to the mining district 

community by offsetting their municipal electric costs.

• Offset municipal electric costs of proposed regional water system. Silver City and 

the mining district are planning the expansion and integration of individual water 

systems to a regional water distribution system whose pumping costs may be 

offset in large part by solar generation.

Feasibility assessment team members from NREL, FMI, and EPA conducted a site visit 

on March 5, 2012, to gather information integral to this feasibility study. The team 

considered information including solar resource, transmission availability, community 

acceptance, and ground conditions. 
4 

2 Development of a PV System on Contaminated 

Land Through the RE-Powering America’s Lands initiative, EPA has identified several 

benefits for siting solar PV facilities on contaminated land, noting that they: 

• Can be developed in place of limited greenfields, preserving the land carbon sink 

• May have environmental conditions that are not well-suited for commercial or 

residential redevelopment, and can be adequately zoned for renewable energy

• Generally are located near existing roads and energy transmission or distribution 

infrastructure 

• Can provide an economically viable reuse for sites that may have significant 

cleanup costs or low real estate development demand 

• Can provide job opportunities in urban and rural communities 

• Can advance cleaner and more cost-effective energy technologies, and reduce the 

environmental impacts of energy systems (e.g., reduce greenhouse gas emissions). 

By taking advantage of these potential benefits, PV can provide a viable, beneficial reuse, 

and in many cases, generate significant revenue on a site that would otherwise go unused. 

FMI, the mine’s owner, is interested in potential revenue flows on the site. For many 

contaminated lands, the local community has significant interest in the redevelopment of 

the site, and community engagement is critical to match future reuse options to the 

community’s vision for the site. 

Understanding opportunities studied and realized by other similar sites demonstrates the 

potential for PV system development. Due to the groundwater contamination, the site has 

limited building development opportunities. The site is cleared and flat and in a location 

in need of locally produced power. The contamination on the site relates primarily to 

groundwater, and remediation is at a stage to allow for installation of a PV system. PV 

development that provides community energy and jobs may be the highest and best use of 

the site.

1

 

There are considerations for the installation of a solar PV system on tailing 

impoundments. Those considerations include potential impacts to cover system, erosion, 

stormwater management, compaction, construction, and vegetation. In addition, financial 

assurance would be required to remove the solar facility and reconstruct the cover system 

(including vegetation) at the end of the project’s life. These considerations shall be 

included in the request for proposals (RFP) during project development. 

Last year, Silver City awarded a large-scale solar facility to power water pumps at Silver 

City’s wastewater treatment plant. Immediately after the award, the Joint Office of 

Sustainability organized and hosted two regional meetings to offer information and 

 

1 For more information on similar projects, see RE-Powering America’s Land website at 

www.epa.gov/oswercpa/. 
5 

encouragement on pursuing solar power purchase agreements (PPA). To date, the 

following entities have signed letters of intent with the New Mexico Cooperative 

Educational Services (CES) to procure PPA services to field their own solar facilities: the 

City of Deming, the Deming school district, and the Silver school district. Senior officials 

of other major institutions have expressed interest, including the City of Alamogordo and 

the Gila Regional Medical Center. The FMI initiative would considerably further the goal 

of regional deployment of renewables. 

The subject site has potential to be used for other functions beyond the solar PV systems 

proposed in this report. Any potential use should align with the community vision for the 

site and should work to enhance the overall utility of the property. 

Beyond the financial benefits of installing a large-scale PV system, additional 

nonfinancial benefits of renewable energy deployment exist. Property owners can 

consider many additional compelling reasons to consider moving toward renewable 

energy sources for power generation instead of fossil fuels, including: 

• Renewable energy sources offer a sustainable energy option in the broader 

energy portfolio 

• Renewable energy can have a net positive effect on human health and the 

environment 

• Deployment of renewable energy bolsters national energy independence and 

increases domestic energy security

• Fluctuating electric costs can be mitigated by locking in electricity rates 

through long-term PPAs linked to renewable energy systems 

• Generating energy without harmful emissions or waste products can be 

accomplished through renewable energy sources.
6 

3 PV Systems

3.1 PV Overview

Solar PV technology converts energy from solar radiation directly into electricity. Solar 

PV cells are the electricity-generating component of a solar energy system. When 

sunlight (photons) strikes a PV cell, an electric current is produced by stimulating 

electrons (negative charges) in a layer in the cell designed to give up electrons easily. The 

existing electric field in the solar cell pulls these electrons to another layer. By 

connecting the cell to an external load, this current (movement of charges) can then be 

used to power the load (e.g., light bulb). 

Figure 1. Generation of electricity from a PV cell

Source: EPA

PV cells are assembled into a PV panel or module. PV modules are then connected to 

create an array. The modules are connected in series and then in parallel as needed to 

reach the specific voltage and current requirements for the array. The direct current (DC) 

electricity generated by the array is then converted by an inverter to useable alternating 

current (AC) that can be consumed by adjoining buildings and facilities or exported to the 

electricity grid. PV system size varies from small residential (2–10 kW), to commercial 

(100–500 kW), to large utility scale (10+ MW). Central distribution plants are also 

currently being built in the 100+ MW scale. Electricity from utility-scale systems is 

commonly sold back to the electricity grid. 

(-)

(+)

-

- -

-

Electron

Current flow

-

Solar cell

- - -

Load
7 

3.2 Major System Components

Figure 2. Ground-mounted array diagram

Source: NREL

A typical PV system is made up of several key components, including: 

• PV modules 

• Inverter

• Balance-of-system (BOS) components. 

These, along with other PV system components, are discussed below. 

3.2.1 PV Module

Module technologies are differentiated by the type of PV material used, resulting in a 

range of conversion efficiencies from light energy to electrical energy. The module 

efficiency is a measure of the percentage of solar energy converted into electricity. 

Two common PV technologies that have been widely used for commercial- and utilityscale projects are crystalline silicon and thin film. 

3.2.1.1 Crystalline Silicon

Traditional solar cells are made from silicon. Silicon is quite abundant and nontoxic. It 

builds on a strong industry on both the supply (silicon industry) and product side. This 

technology has been demonstrated for consistency and high efficiency for over 30 years 

in the field. The performance degradation, a reduction in power generation due to longterm exposure, is under 1% per year. Silicon modules have a lifespan in the range of 25–

30 years but can keep producing energy beyond this range. 
8 

Typical overall efficiency of silicon solar panels is between 12% and 18%. However, 

some manufacturers of mono-crystalline panels claim an overall efficiency nearing 20%. 

This range of efficiencies represents significant variation among the crystalline silicon 

technologies available. The technology is generally divided into mono- and multicrystalline technologies, which indicates the presence of grain-boundaries (i.e., multiple 

crystals) in the cell materials and is controlled by raw material selection and 

manufacturing technique. Crystalline silicon panels are widely used based on 

deployments worldwide. 

Figure 3 shows two examples of crystalline solar panels: mono- and multi-silicon 

installed on tracking mounting systems. 

Figure 3. Mono-crystalline and multi-crystalline solar panels. Photos from (left) SunPower, 

NREL 23816 and (right) SunPower, NREL 13823

3.2.1.2 Thin Film

Thin-film PV cells are made from amorphous silicon (a-Si) or non-silicon materials, such 

as cadmium telluride (CdTe). Thin-film cells use layers of semiconductor materials only 

a few micrometers thick. Due to the unique nature of thin films, some thin-film cells are 

constructed into flexible modules, enabling such applications as solar energy covers for 

landfills, such as a geomembrane system. Other thin-film modules are assembled into 

rigid constructions that can be used in fixed tilt or, in some cases, tracking system 

configurations. 

The efficiency of thin-film solar cells is generally lower than for crystalline cells. Current 

overall efficiency of a thin-film panel is between 6% and 8% for a-Si and 11% and 12% 

for CdTe. Figure 4 shows thin-film solar panels. 
9 

Figure 4. Thin-film solar panels installed on (left) solar energy cover and (middle/right) 

fixed-tilt mounting system. Photos from (left) Republic Services, NREL 23817, (middle) 

Beck Energy, NREL 14726, and (right) U.S. Coast Guard Petaluma Site, NREL 17395

Industry standard warranties of both crystalline and thin-film PV panels typically 

guarantee system performance of 80% of the rated power output for 25 years. After 

25 years, they will continue producing electricity but at a lower performance level.

3.2.2 Inverter

Inverters convert DC electricity from the PV array into AC and can connect seamlessly to 

the electricity grid. Inverter efficiencies can be as high as 98.5%. 

Inverters also sense the utility power frequency and synchronize the PV-produced power 

to that frequency. When utility power is not present, the inverter will stop producing AC 

power to prevent “islanding,” or putting power into the grid while utility workers are 

trying to fix what they assume is a de-energized distribution system. This safety feature is 

built into all grid-connected inverters in the market. Electricity produced from the system 

may be fed to a step-up transformer to increase the voltage to match the grid. 

There are two primary types of inverters for grid-connected systems: string and microinverters. Each type has strengths and weaknesses and may be recommended for different 

types of installations.

String inverters are most common and typically range in size from 1.5–1,000 kW. These 

inverters tend to be cheaper on a capacity basis, as well as are highly efficient and have 

lower operation and maintenance (O&M) costs. String inverters offer various sizes and 

capacities to handle a large range of voltage output. For larger systems, string inverters 

are combined in parallel to produce a single point of interconnection with the grid. 

Warranties typically run between 5 and 10 years, with 10 years being the current industry 

standard. On larger units, extended warranties up to 20 years are possible. Given that the 

expected life of the PV panels is 25–30 years, an operator can expect to replace a string

inverter at least one time during the life of the PV system. 

Micro-inverters are dedicated to the conversion of a single PV module’s power output. 

The AC output from each module is connected in parallel to create the array. This 

technology is relatively new to the market and in limited use in larger systems due to 

potential increase in O&M associated with significantly increasing the number of 

inverters in a given array. Current micro-inverters range in size between 175 W and 

380 W. These inverters can be the most expensive option per watt of capacity. Warranties 

range from 10–20 years. Small projects with irregular modules and shading issues 

typically benefit from micro-inverters. 
10 

With string inverters, small amounts of shading on a solar panel will significantly affect 

the entire array production. Instead, it impacts only that shaded panel if micro-inverters 

are used. Figure 5 shows a string inverter. 

Figure 5. String inverter. Photo by Warren Gretz, NREL 07985

3.2.3 Balance-of-System Components

In addition to the solar modules and inverter, a solar PV system consists of other parts 

called BOS components, which include: 

• Mounting racks and hardware for the panels 

• Wiring for electrical connections. 

3.2.3.1 Mounting Systems

The array has to be secured and oriented optimally to maximize system output. The 

structure holding the modules is referred to as the mounting system. 

3.2.3.1.1 Ground-Mounted Systems

For ground-mounted systems, the mounting system can be either directly anchored into 

the ground (via driven piers or concrete footers) or ballasted on the surface without 

ground penetration. Mounting systems must withstand local wind loads, which range 

from 90–120 miles per hour (mph) for most areas to 130 mph or more for areas with 

hurricane potential. Depending on the region, snow and ice loads must also be a design 

consideration for the mounting system. For reclaimed mine site applications, mounting 

system designs will be primarily driven by these considerations coupled with 

settlement concerns. 

Typical ground-mounted systems can be categorized as fixed tilt or tracking. Fixed-tilt 

mounting structures consist of panels installed at a set angle, typically based on site 

latitude and wind conditions, to increase exposure to solar radiation throughout the year. 

Fixed-tilt systems are used at many reclaimed mine sites. Fixed-tilt systems have lower 

maintenance costs but generate less energy (kWh) per unit power (kW) of capacity than 

tracking systems. 

Tracking systems rotate the PV modules so they are following the sun as it moves across 

the sky. This increases energy output but also increases maintenance and equipment costs 

slightly. Single-axis tracking, in which PV is rotated on a single axis, can increase energy 

output up to 25% or more. With dual-axis tracking, PV is able to directly face the sun all 

day, potentially increasing output up to 35% or more. However, the movable trackers 
11 

require more space between roles. System capacity for tracking systems is less than that 

for the fixed tilt at the same land area. Depending on underlying soiling conditions, 

single- and dual-axis trackers may not be suitable due to potential settlement effects, 

which can interfere with the alignment requirements of such systems. 

Table 2. Energy Density by Panel and System

System Type Fixed-Tilt Energy Density 

(DC-Watts/ft2

) 

Single-Axis Tracking 

Energy Density

(DC-Watts/ft2

) 

Crystalline Silicon 4.0 3.3

Thin Film 3.3 2.7

Hybrid High 

Efficiency

4.8 3.9

The selection of mounting type is dependent on many factors, including installation size, 

electricity rates, government incentives, land constraints, latitude, and local weather. 

Contaminated land applications might raise additional design considerations due to site 

conditions, including differential settlement. 

Selection of the mounting system is also heavily dependent on anchoring or foundation 

selection. The mounting system design will also need to meet applicable local building 

code requirements with respect to snow, wind, and seismic zones. Selection of mounting 

types should also consider frost protection needs, especially in cold regions, such as 

New England. 

3.2.3.2 Wiring for Electrical Connections

Electrical connections, including wiring, disconnect switches, fuses, and breakers, are 

required to meet electrical code (e.g., NEC Article 690) for both safety and equipment 

protection. 

In most traditional applications, wiring from (1) the arrays to inverters and (2) inverters 

to point of interconnection is generally run as direct burial through trenches. In a 

reclaimed mine site, this wiring may be required to run through above-ground conduit 

due to restrictions with cap penetration or other concerns. Therefore, developers should 

consider noting any such restrictions, if applicable, in RFPs in order to improve overall 

bid accuracy. Similarly, it is recommended that PV system vendors reflect these costs in 

the quote when costing out the overall system. 

3.2.3.3 PV System Monitoring 

Monitoring PV systems can be essential for reliable functioning and maximum yield of a 

system. It can be as simple as reading values, such as produced AC power, daily kilowatthours, and cumulative kilowatt-hours, locally on an LCD display on the inverter. For 

more sophisticated monitoring and control purposes, environmental data, such as module 

temperature, ambient temperature, solar radiation, and wind speed, can be collected. 

Remote control and monitoring can be performed by various remote connections. 
12 

Systems can send alerts and status messages to the control center or user. Data can be 

stored in the inverter’s memory or in external data loggers for further system analysis. 

Collection of this basic information is standard for solar systems and not unique to 

landfill applications. 

Weather stations are typically installed in large-scale systems. Weather data, such as solar 

radiation and temperature, can be used to predict energy production, enabling comparison 

of the target and actual system output and performance, and identification of underperforming arrays. Operators can also use this data to identify required maintenance, 

shade on panels, and accumulating dirt on panels, for example. Monitoring system data 

can also be used for outreach and education. This can be achieved with publicly 

available, online displays, wall-mounted systems, or even smartphone applications. 

3.2.4 Operation and Maintenance

PV panels typically have a 25-year performance warranty. Inverters, which come 

standard with a 5-year or 10-year warranty (extended warranties available), would be 

expected to last 10–15 years. System performance should be verified on a vendorprovided website. Wire and rack connections should be checked annually. This economic 

analysis uses an annual O&M cost computed at $20/kW/yr, which is based on the 

historical O&M costs of installed fixed-axis grid-tied PV systems. In addition, the system 

should expect a replacement of system inverters in year 15 at a cost of $0.25/W. 

3.3 Siting Considerations

PV modules are very sensitive to shading. When shaded (either partially or fully), the 

panel is unable to optimally collect the high-energy beam radiation from the sun. As 

explained above, PV modules are made up of many individual cells that all produce a 

small amount of current and voltage. These individual cells are connected in series to 

produce a larger current. If an individual cell is shaded, it acts as resistance to the whole 

series circuit, impeding current flow and dissipating power rather than producing it. 

The NREL solar assessment team uses a Solmetric SunEye solar path calculator to assess 

shading at particular locations by analyzing the sky view where solar panels will be 

located. By finding the solar access, the NREL team can determine if the area is 

appropriate for solar panels.

Following the successful collection of solar resource data using the Solmetric SunEye 

tool and determination that the site is adequate for a solar installation, an analysis to 

determine the ideal system size must be conducted. System size depends highly on the 

average energy use of the facilities on the site, PPAs, incentives available, and 

utility policy. 
13 

4 Proposed Installation Location Information

This section summarizes the findings of the NREL solar assessment site visit on 

March 5, 2012.

4.1 Chino Mine Site PV System

As discussed in Section 1, the Chino Mine site, managed by FMI, is suitable for PV 

because it is nearly flat, has adequate road and solar access, is zoned for industrial uses, 

has extensive electrical distribution nearby serving the City of Hurley, and can potentially 

sell electricity to PNM.

In order to get the most out of the ground area available, it is important to consider 

whether the site layout can be improved to better incorporate a solar system. If there are 

unused structures, fences, or electrical poles that can be removed, the un-shaded area can 

be increased to incorporate more PV panels. 

Figure 6 shows an aerial view of the Chino Mine sites. The feasible areas for PV are

outlined in orange and the electrical tie-in point for the PV system is given. 

Figure 6. Aerial view of Chino Mine sites

Illustration made using Google Earth.
14 

There are three proposed sites for Chino Mine. The area for each site, estimated PV 

capacity, and distance to utility tie-in are presented in Table 3.

Table 3. Area for Each Site, Estimated PV Capacity, and Distance to Utility Tie-in

Site Acreage

Estimated PV Capacity 

(MW)

Distance to Utility Tie-In 

(ft)

Site 1 23 4 4,624

Site 2 277 48 2,570

Site 3 1,700 296 8,130

The total Chino Mine area for this study is approximately 2,000 acres, divided into three 

major sites. Sites 1, 2, and 3 are approximately 23, 277 acres and 1,700 acres, 

respectively. The areas are relatively flat, un-shaded land, which makes them suitable 

candidates for a PV system. Additional considerations may be associated with designing, 

installing, and operating the PV system in order to maintain the integrity and 

effectiveness of the remediation solution or cap on the reclaimed tailings. The PV 

capacity of a fixed-tilt ballasted system estimated for sites 1, 2, and 3 are 4 MW, 48 MW, 

and 296 MW, respectively. 

PV systems are very well-suited to the Silver City, New Mexico, area, where the average 

global horizontal annual solar resource—the total solar radiation for a given location, 

including direct, diffuse, and ground-reflected radiation—is 6.41 kWh/m2/day. Figure 7, 

Figure 8, and Figure 9 show various views of the Chino Mine site. 

 

Figure 7. Views of the feasible area for PV at site 1 of the Chino Mine. Photos by Kosol 

Kiatreungwattana, NREL
15 

Figure 8. Views of the feasible area for PV at site 2 of the Chino Mine. Photos by Kosol 

Kiatreungwattana, NREL

Figure 9. Views of the feasible area for PV at site 3 of the Chino Mine. Photos by Kosol 

Kiatreungwattana, NREL
16 

4.2 Utility-Resource Considerations

The expected electrical tie-in point and inverter for the PV system at the Chino Mine is 

located on the west side of each site. Site 1 has the potential to tie into the 24-kV or 

69-kV power line on the west side of the site. Site 2 has the potential to tie into the 69-kV 

or 115-kV power line. Site 3 is the largest site and has the potential to tie into the 115-kV 

power line. Site and line location is showed in Figure 6. 

Per conversation with PNM personnel, this 115-kV line at Chino Mine should have 

adequate capacity to accommodate a large utility PV system. A technical analysis is

required with PNM, to be performed in a Preliminary Interconnection System Impact 

Study (PISIS) cluster study. The additional fee for a PISIS cluster study is presented in 

Table 4. 

PNM requires each applicant to submit an application for interconnection. For a large 

system (10 kW to 10 MW), the fee is $100 plus $1/kW for each kilowatt over 100 kW.2 

Table 4. Fee for Preliminary Interconnection System Impact Study (PISIS)

System Capacity Fee ($)

Less than 50 MW 75,000

Greater than 50 MW but less than 200 MW 199,000

200 MW and greater 250,000

Figure 10. Electrical tie-in point of 24-kV and 115-kV lines for the PV system at the Chino 

Mine. Photos by Kosol Kiatreungwattana and Lars Lisell, NREL

4.3 Useable Acreage for PV System Installation 

Typically, a minimum of 2 useable acres is recommended to site PV systems. Useable 

acreage is typically characterized as "flat to gently sloping" southern exposures that are 

free from obstructions and get full sun for at least a 6-hour period each day. For example, 

eligible space for PV includes underutilized or unoccupied land, vacant lots, and/or 

unused paved area (e.g., a parking lot or industrial site space, as well as existing building 

 

2 For more information, see www.pnm.com/customers/pdf/ic_app_large.pdf. 
17 

rooftops). The total of 2,000 acres (site 1 with 23 acres, site 2 with 277 acres, and site 3 

with 1,700 acres) is flat and free of all major shading obstructions.

4.4 PV Site Solar Resource

The Chino Mine site has been evaluated to determine the adequacy of the solar resource 

available using both on-site data and industry tools. 

The assessment team for this feasibility study collected multiple Solmetric SunEye data

points and found a solar access of 95% or higher. All data gathered using this tool is 

available in Appendix B.

The predicted array performance was found using PVWatts Version 23 for Silver City, 

New Mexico. 

Table 5 shows the station identification information, PV system specifications, and 

energy specifications for the site. For this summary, a hypothetical 20-degree fixed-tilt, 

1-kW system was used to show the estimated production for each kilowatt so that 

additional analyses can be performed using the data indicated below. It is scaled linearly 

to match the proposed system size. 

Table 5. Site Identification Information and Specifications

Station Identification

Cell ID 0192378

State New Mexico

Latitude 32.9° N

Longitude 108.4° W

PV System Specifications

DC Rating 1.00 kW

DC-to-AC Derate Factor 0.8

AC Rating 0.8 kW

Array Type Fixed Tilt 

Array Tilt 20°

Array Azimuth 180°

Energy Specifications

Cost of Electricity (retail) $0.11/kWh

Table 6 shows the performance results for a 20-degree fixed-tilt PV system in Silver City, 

New Mexico, as calculated by PVWatts. Estimated electricity production and value of the 

energy for each system at each site is presented in Table 7. 

 

3 http://www.nrel.gov/rredc/pvwatts/.
18 

Table 6. Performance Results for 20-Degree Fixed-Tilt PV

Month Solar Radiation

(kWh/m2

/day)

AC Energy

(kWh)

Energy Value

($)

1 4.97 120 13.20 

2 5.68 122 13.42

3 6.81 161 17.71

4 7.61 167 18.37

5 7.59 170 18.70 

6 7.62 159 17.49

7 7.12 153 16.83

8 6.68 145 15.95

9 6.51 137 15.07

10 6.21 141 15.51 

11 5.41 123 13.53

12 4.67 114 12.54 

Year 6.41 1,712 188.32

Table 7. Estimated Electricity Production for Each Site 

Site

Estimated PV 

Capacity 

(MW)

Annual Electricity Production 

(MWh/yr)

Annual Energy Value 

($)

Site 1 4 6,848 753,280

Site 2 48 82,176 9,039,360

Site 3 296 506,752 55,742,720

Total 348 595,776 65,535,360

4.5 Chino Mine Energy Usage

The Chino Mine site has significant on-site energy use. On-site monthly electricity 

consumption for the Hurley area of Chino Mine is presented in Table 8. Annual on-site 

electricity consumption in the Hurley area is approximately 15,684 MWh/yr (calculated

using average monthly consumption). Chino Mine is primarily served by the wholesale 

electricity market. PNM does not supply the electricity to Chino Mine, so they are not 

obligated to net meter. Further negotiation with PNM and the PUC may be required for a 

net-metering arrangement in the future. Currently, net metering is not an available option 

for the site. 
19 

Table 8. Chino Mine On-Site Monthly Electricity Consumption

Year 2011

Consumption 

(kWh)

Cost 

($)

February 1,077,840 60,390.17

March 1,282,286 65,528.31

April 1,560,853 81,787.79

Average 1,306,993 69,235.43

4.5.1 Net Metering

Net metering is an electricity policy for consumers who own renewable energy facilities. 

"Net," in this context, is used to mean "what remains after deductions"—in this case, the 

deduction of any energy outflows from metered energy inflows. Under net metering, a 

system owner receives retail credit for at least a portion of the electricity it generates. As 

part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, under Sec. 1251, all public electric utilities are 

required upon request to make net metering available to their customers: 

(11) NET METERING.—Each electric utility shall make available upon 

request net metering service to any electric consumer that the electric 

utility serves. For purposes of this paragraph, the term ‘net metering 

service’ means service to an electric consumer under which electric energy 

generated by that electric consumer from an eligible on-site generating 

facility and delivered to the local distribution facilities may be used to 

offset electric energy provided by the electric utility to the electric 

consumer during the applicable billing period. 

Chino Mine buys electricity from a wholesale market. The wholesale energy supplies are 

not subject to New Mexico’s renewable energy standards. Net metering is not an option 

for Chino Mine. The net-metering arrangement would have to be negotiated. 

4.5.2 Virtual Net Metering

Some states and utilities allow for virtual net metering (VNM). This arrangement can 

allow certain entities, such as a local government, to install renewable generation of up to 

1 MW at one location within its geographic boundary and to generate credits that can be 

used to offset charges at one or more other locations within the same geographic 

boundary. Silver City is interested in buying electricity from the Chino Mine PV system.

Unfortunately, New Mexico currently does not offer VNM to PV generators. However, 

we include this analysis to demonstrate the potential economic benefits. 
20 

5 Economics and Performance

The economic performance of a PV system installed on the site is evaluated using a 

combination of the assumptions and background information discussed previously, as 

well as a number of industry-specific inputs determined by other studies. In particular, 

this study uses the NREL System Advisor Model (SAM).4 

SAM is a performance and economic model designed to facilitate decision making for 

people involved in the renewable energy industry, ranging from project managers and 

engineers to incentive program designers, technology developers, and researchers. 

SAM makes performance predictions for grid-connected solar, solar water heating, wind, 

and geothermal power systems and makes economic calculations for both projects that 

buy and sell power at retail rates and power projects that sell power through a PPA. 

SAM consists of a performance model and financial model. The performance model 

calculates a system's energy output on an hourly basis (sub-hourly simulations are 

available for some technologies). The financial model calculates annual project cash 

flows over a period of years for a range of financing structures for residential, 

commercial, and utility projects. 

The model calculates the cost of generating electricity based on information provided 

about a project's location, installation and operating costs, type of financing, applicable 

tax credits and incentives, and system specifications.

5.1 Assumptions and Input Data for Analysis

Cost of a PV system depends on the system size and other factors, such as geographic 

location, mounting structure, and type of PV module. Based on significant cost 

reductions seen in 2011, the average cost for utility-scale ground-mounted systems have 

declined from $4.80/W in the first quarter of 2010 to $2.79/W in the first quarter of 2012. 

With an increasing demand and supply, the potential of further cost reduction is expected 

as market conditions evolve. 

For this analysis, the installed cost of fixed-tilt ground-mounted systems was assumed to 

be $2.79/W. We assumed crystalline PV panels for this analysis. Per discussion with the 

geologist from the state of New Mexico, using driven piles for ground mounting would 

be acceptable if there was no depression next to the piles in the dirt but rather a small 

mound around each one to keep water from pooling around it. Although a tracking 

system can produce more electricity, it has higher capital and long-term maintenance 

costs. Therefore, the fixed-tilt ground-mounted PV system that uses driven piles is 

recommended for this study. The installed system cost assumption is summarized in 

Table 9. 

 

4 For more information about the NREL System Advisor Model, see https://sam.nrel.gov/cost. 
21 

Table 9. Installed System Cost Assumption

System Type Fixed Tilt

($/We) 

Total installed cost

for ground-mounted 

system

2.79 

These prices include the PV array and the BOS components for each system, including 

the inverter and electrical equipment, as well as the installation cost. This includes 

estimated taxes and a national-average labor rate but does not include land cost. The 

economics of grid-tied PV depend on incentives, the cost of electricity, the solar resource, 

and panel tilt and orientation. Currently, solar incentives are only available for a system 

up to 1 MW. A larger system capacity over 1 MW is under the RFP process with PNM, 

and the buy-back rate is negotiated for a case-by-case basis. For this analysis, Chino 

Mine buys electricity from wholesale market at $0.045/kWh and can sell electricity from 

PV systems at $0.055/kWh (based on available information for a system up to 1 MW 

with an incentive of $0.02/kWh renewable energy credit price plus $0.035/kWh 

Cogeneration and Small Power Production Facilities, Rate 12). For VNM analysis, the 

retail rate was assumed at $0.11/kWh, as the generated electricity will be credited to other 

locations at the retail rate.

It was assumed for this analysis that relevant federal incentives are received for taxable 

entities. It is important to consider all applicable incentives or grants to make PV as costeffective as possible. If the PV system is owned by a private tax-paying entity, this entity 

may qualify for federal tax credits and accelerated depreciation on the PV system, which 

can be worth about 30% of the initial capital investment. The total potential tax benefits 

to the tax-paying entity can be as high as 45% of the initial system cost. Because state 

and federal governments do not pay taxes, private ownership of the PV system would be 

required to capture tax incentives. 

For the purposes of this analysis, the project is expected to have a 25-year life, although 

the systems can be reasonably expected to continue operation past this point. Inflation is 

assumed to be 1.5%, the real discount rate to be 6%, and financing secured via a 25-year 

loan at a 7% interest rate and 80% debt fraction. The panels are assumed to have a 1% 

per year degradation in performance. The O&M expenses are estimated to be $20/kW/yr 

for the life of the system. In addition, it is expected that there will be a $250/kW charge 

to O&M in year 15 to replace the inverters associated with the system. A system DC-toAC conversion of 80% was assumed. This includes losses in the inverter, wire losses, PV 

module losses, and losses due to temperature effects. PVWatts Version 2 was used to 

calculate expected energy performance for the system. 

The full list of incentives used in this study can be found in Table 10. 
22 

Table 10. Summary of Incentives Evaluated

Incentive Title Modeled Value Expected End 

Federal Investment Tax Credit 30% of total investment 2016

Advanced Energy Tax Credit (Corporate) 6% of total investment $60 million

Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit 

(Corporate) $0.027/kWh (average) 

Statewide cap: 

2,500 GWh 

Advanced Energy Gross Receipts Tax 

Deduction 100% of sales tax $60 million

Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy 

Bond Program

Government bonds for 

government buildings $20 million

Net Metering Available Up to site loads

The Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Bond Program can only be taken advantage 

of by a municipality. This was modeled as a 0.5% interest loan over the life of the project 

to simulate the actual stipulations of the program. The program allows for repayment to 

occur through recouping 90% of energy savings in order to not affect the local 

general fund. 

5.2 SAM-Forecasted Economic Performance

Using varied inputs and the assumptions summarized in Section 5.1 of this report, the 

SAM tool predicts net present value (NPV), PPAs, and levelized cost of energy (LCOE), 

among other economic indicators. 

The LCOE in cents per kilowatt-hour accounts for a project's installation, financing, tax, 

operating costs, and the quantity of electricity it produces over its life. The LCOE makes

it possible to compare alternatives with different project lifetimes and performance 

characteristics. Analysts can use the LCOE to compare the option of installing a 

residential or commercial project to purchasing electricity from an electric service 

provider or to compare utility and commercial PPA projects with investments in energy 

efficiency, other renewable energy projects, or conventional fossil fuel projects. The 

LCOE captures the trade-off between typically higher-capital-cost, lower-operating-cost 

renewable energy projects and lower-capital-cost, higher-operating-cost fossil-fuel-based 

projects.

The PPA price is the first-year price that electricity could be sold to the property owner, 

allowing the developer to own a certain internal rate of return. For this analysis, the 

required internal rate of return used was 15%, and the first-year PPA price escalates at 

1.5% per year. 

There are three scenarios for the analysis. All detailed assumptions and results for the 

analysis can be found in the appendices.
23 

Case 1—Investor owned/PPA with 348 MW 

This case assumes third-party investor for the PV system. All generated electricity from 

case 1 is assumed to be sold to the utility. The results of this case are to estimate the 

electricity rate as a PPA to receive an acceptable return on investment (15% internal rate 

of return). 

Case 2—Developer owned/PPA with 348 MW 

This case assumes FMI owns the PV system. All generated electricity will be sold as a 

PPA with PNM or an interstate utility at the rate of $0.055/kWh. 

Case 3—Developer owned/virtual net metering with 348 MW

VNM is currently not available in New Mexico. Case 3 is to demonstrate the potential 

economic benefits for this option. This case assumes FMI owns the PV system. All 

electricity would be VNM to generate credits at a retail electricity rate that can be used to 

offset charges at one or more other locations within the same geographic boundary. A 

retail electricity rate at $0.11/kWh is used for this analysis. 

5.2.1 Results

Three scenarios were run for the Chino Mine to encompass the options available to this 

site. The independent variables include a third-party developer versus existing site 

ownership. There are multiple factors that go into choosing which scenario to pursue 

beyond NPV, PPA, and LCOE. Table 11 shows the modeled results from the different 

scenarios. The entire results and summary of inputs to the SAM is available in 

Appendix D. 

• Case 1—Investor owned/PPA with 348 MW will work if the investor can sell the 

electricity of the PPA at $0.0727/kWh. Because the Chino Mine buys electricity 

from the wholesale market at $0.045/kWh, which is much lower than that of the 

PPA, so the Chino Mine is unlikely to buy the electricity from the PV systems. In 

addition, PNM’s purchase rate is estimated to be approximately $0.055/kWh. 

Therefore, a solar investor is unlikely to invest given current conditions. 

• Case 2—Developer owned/PPA has positive NPV and shows the low LCOE of 

$0.0454/kWh. The developer can develop the feasible project and then sell 

electricity to the utility at $0.055/kWh. This case is economically viable with an 

NPV of $4,615,125 and a payback of 14 years. 

• Case 3—Developer owned/virtual net metering shows a positive NPV and a 

feasible shorter payback of 7 years. Therefore, this case has the best economic 

scenario. 
24 

Table 11. PV System Summary

Investor-Owned Cases

Capacity 

(MW)

LCOE 

($/kWh)

NPV 

($)

PPA 

($/kWh)

Paybac

k 

(yr)

Case 1—Investor owned/PPA 348 0.0821 $21,307,301 0.0727 N/A

Case 2—Developer owned/PPA 348 0.0454 $4,615,125 - 14 

Case 3—Developer owned/virtual net

metering 348 0.0454 $275,789,664 - 7 

Table 12. Potential Energy Production and Economic Impacts on Created Jobs

5.3 Job Analysis and Impact

To evaluate employment and economic impacts of the PV project associated with this 

analysis, the NREL Jobs and Economic Development Impact (JEDI) models are used.5

JEDI estimates the economic impacts associated with the construction and operation of 

distributed-generation power plants. JEDI is a flexible input-output tool that estimates, 

but does not precisely predict, the number of jobs and economic impacts that can be 

reasonably supported by the proposed facility. 

JEDI represents the entire economy, including cross-industry or cross-company impacts. 

For example, JEDI estimates the impact that the installation of a distributed-generation 

facility would have on not only the manufacturers of PV modules and inverters but also 

the associated construction materials, metal fabrication industry, project management 

support, transportation, and other industries that are required to enable the procurement 

and installation of the complete system. 

 

5

 The JEDI models have been used by the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

NREL, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, as well as a number of universities. For 

information on the NREL Jobs and Economic Development Impact tool, see 

http://www.nrel.gov/analysis/jedi/about_jedi.html. 

System Type PV System Sizea Array Tilt

Annual 

Output

Number of 

Houses Poweredb

Jobs 

Createdc

Jobs 

Sustainedd

(MW) (deg) (MWh/year) (job-year) (job-year)

Fixed-tilt Ballasted PV System with Crystalline Panels 348 20 595,776 53,965 10,588 129

System Type System Cost

Fixed-tilt, ground-mounted PV System with 

Crystalline Panels $ 972,425,280 

a Data assume a maximum usable area of 2,000 acres.

b

 Number of average American households that could hypothetically be powered by the PV system assuming 11,040 

kWh/year/household.

d

 Jobs (direct, indirect, and induced) sustained as a result of operations and maintenance (O&M) of the system.

c

 Job-years created as a result of project capital investment including direct, indirect, and induced jobs.
25 

For this analysis, inputs, including the estimated installed project cost ($/kW), targeted 

year of construction, system capacity (kW), O&M costs ($/kW), and location were 

entered into the model to predict the jobs and economic impact. It is important to note 

that JEDI does not predict or incorporate any displacement of related economic activity 

or alternative jobs due to the implementation of the proposed project. As such, the JEDI 

results are considered gross estimates as opposed to net estimates. 

For the Chino Mine site, the values in Table 13 were assumed for the maximum capacity 

system based on available areas. 

Table 13. JEDI Analysis Assumptions

Input Assumed Value

Capacity 348 MW

Placed In Service Year 2013

Installed System Cost $ 972,425,280

Location Silver City, New Mexico

Using these inputs, JEDI estimates the gross direct and indirect jobs, associated earnings, 

and total economic impact supported by the construction and continued operation of the 

proposed PV system. 

The estimates of jobs associated with this project are presented as either construction 

period jobs or sustained operations jobs. Each job is expressed as a whole, or fraction, 

full-time equivalent (FTE) position. An FTE is one person working 40 hours per week for 

the duration of a year. Construction period jobs are considered short-term positions that

exist only during the procurement and construction periods. 

As indicated in the results of the JEDI analysis provided in Appendix C, the total 

proposed system of 348 MW is estimated to support 8,464 direct and indirect jobs per 

year for the duration of the procurement and construction period. Total wages paid to 

workers during the construction period are estimated to be $323,575,000, and total 

economic output is estimated to be $759,779,400. The jobs and associated spending are 

projected to account for approximately $6,553,300 in earnings and $10,748,500 in 

economic activity each year for the next 25 years. 

5.4 Financing Opportunities

The procurement, development, construction, and management of a successful utilityscale distributed-generation facility can be owned and financed a number of different 

ways. The most common ownership and financing structures are described below. 

5.4.1 Owner and Operator Financing

The owner/operator financing structure is characterized by a single entity with the 

financial strength to fund all of the solar project costs and, if a private entity, sufficient 

tax appetite to utilize all of the project’s tax benefits. Private owners/operators typically 
26 

establish a special purpose entity (SPE) that solely owns the assets of the project. An 

initial equity investment into the SPE is funded by the private entity using existing funds, 

and all of the project’s cash flows and tax benefits are utilized by the entity. This equity 

investment is typically matched with debt financing for the majority of the project costs. 

Project debt is typically issued as a loan based on each owner’s/operator’s assets and 

equity in the project. In addition, private entities can utilize any of federal tax 

credits offered. 

For public entities that choose to finance, own, and operate a solar project, funding can be 

raised as part of a larger, general obligation bond; as a standalone tax credit bond; 

through a tax-exempt lease structure, bank financing, grant and incentive programs, or 

internal cash; or some combination of the above. Certain structures are more common 

than others, and grant programs for solar programs are on the decline. Regardless, as taxexempt entities, public entities are unable to benefit directly from the various tax-creditbased incentives available to private companies. This has given way to the now common 

use of third-party financing structures, such as the PPA. 

5.4.2 Third-Party Developers with Power Purchase Agreements

Because many project site hosts have the financial or technical capabilities to develop a 

capital intensive project, many times they turn to third-party developers (and/or their 

investors). In exchange for access to a site through a lease or easement arrangement, 

third-party developers will finance, develop, own, and operate solar projects utilizing 

their own expertise and sources of tax equity financing and debt capital. Once the system 

is installed, the third-party developer will sell the electricity to the site host or local utility 

via a PPA—a contract to sell electricity at a negotiated rate over a fixed period of time. 

The PPA typically will be between the third-party developer and the site host if it is a 

retail “behind-the-meter” transaction or directly with an electric utility if it is a 

wholesale transaction. 

Site hosts benefit by either receiving competitively priced electricity from the project via 

the PPA or land lease revenues for making the site available to the solar developer via a 

lease payment. This lease payment can take on the form of either a revenue-sharing 

agreement or an annual lease payment. In addition, third-party developers are able to 

utilize federal tax credits. For public entities, this arrangement allows them to utilize the 

benefits of the tax credits (low PPA price, higher lease payment) while not directly 

receiving them. The term of a PPA typically varies from 20–25 years.

5.4.3 Third-Party “Flip” Agreements 

The most common use of this model is a site host working with a third-party developer 

who then partners with a tax-motivated investor in a SPE that would own and operate the 

project. Initially, most of the equity provided to the SPE would come from the tax 

investor, and most of the benefit would flow to the tax investor (as much as 99%). When 

the tax investor has fully monetized the tax benefits and achieved an agreed-upon rate of 

return, the allocation of benefits and majority ownership (95%) would “flip” to the site 

host (but not within the first 5 years). After the flip, the site host would have the option to 

buy out all or most of the tax investor’s interest in the project at the fair market value of 

the tax investor’s remaining interest. 
27 

A flip agreement can also be signed between a developer and investors within an SPE, 

where the investor would begin with the majority ownership. Eventually, the ownership 

would flip to the developer once the investors’ returns are met.

5.4.4 Hybrid Financial Structures

As the solar market evolves, hybrid financial solutions have been developed in certain 

instances to finance solar projects. A particular structure, nicknamed “The Morris Model” 

after Morris County, New Jersey, combines highly rated public debt, a capital lease, and a 

PPA. Low-interest public debt replaces more costly financing available to the solar 

developer and contributes to a very attractive PPA price for the site hosts. New markets 

tax credits have been combined with PPAs and public debt in other locations, such as 

Denver and Salt Lake City. 

5.4.5 Solar Services Agreement and Operating Lease

The solar services agreement (SSA) and operating lease business models have been 

predominately used in the municipal and cooperative utility markets due its treatment of 

tax benefits and the rules limiting federal tax benefit transfers from nonprofit to for-profit 

companies. Under IRS guidelines, municipalities cannot enter capital leases with forprofit entities when the for-profit entities capture tax incentives. As a result, a number of 

business models have emerged as a workaround to this issue. One model is the SSA, 

wherein a private party sells solar services (i.e., energy and RECs) to a municipality over 

a specified contract period (typically long enough for the private party to accrue the tax 

credits). The nonprofit utility typically purchases the solar services with either a one-time 

up-front payment equal to the turn-key system cost minus the 30% federal tax credit or 

may purchase the services in annual installments. The municipality may buy out the 

system once the third party has accrued the tax credits, but due to IRS regulations, the 

buyout of the plant cannot be included as part of the SSA (i.e., the SSA cannot be used as 

a vehicle for a sale and must be a separate transaction).

Similar to the SSA, there are a variety of lease options that are available to municipalities 

that allow the capture of tax benefits by third-party owners, which result in a lower cost 

to the municipality. These include an operating lease for solar services (as opposed to an 

equipment capital lease) and a complex business model called a “sale/leaseback.” Under 

the sale/leaseback model, the municipality develops the project and sells it to a thirdparty tax equity investor who then leases the project back to the municipality under an 

operating lease. At the end of the lease period and after the tax benefits have been 

absorbed by the tax equity investor, the municipality can purchase the solar project at fair 

market value.

5.4.6 Sale/Leaseback

In the widely accepted sale/leaseback model, the public or private entity installs the PV 

system, sells it to a tax investor, and then leases it back. As the lessee, they would be 

responsible for operating and maintaining the solar system, as well as have the right to 

sell or use the power. In exchange for use of the solar system, the public or private entity 

would make lease payments to the tax investor (the lessor). The tax investor would have 

rights to federal tax benefits generated by the project and the lease payments. Sometimes, 
28 

the entity is allowed to buy back the project at 100% fair market value after the tax 

benefits are exhausted. 

5.4.7 Community Solar/Solar Gardens 

The concept of community solar is one in which the costs and benefits of one large solar 

project are shared by a number of participants. A site owner may be able to make the 

land available for a large solar project that can be the basis for a community solar project. 

Ownership structures for these projects vary, but the large projects are typically owned or 

sponsored by a local utility. Community solar gardens are distributed solar projects 

wherein utility customers have a stake via a prorated share of the project’s energy output. 

This business model is targeted to meet demand for solar projects by customers who 

rent/lease their homes or businesses, do not have good solar access at their site, or do not 

want to install solar system on their facilities. Customer prorated shares of solar projects 

are acquired through a long-term transferrable lease of one or more panels, or they 

subscribe to a share of the project in terms of a specific level of energy output or the 

energy output of a set amount of capacity. Under the customer lease option, the customer 

receives a billing credit for the number of kilowatt-hours their prorated share of the solar 

project produces each month; this is also known as VNM. Under the customer 

subscription option, the customers typically pay a set price for a block of solar energy 

(i.e., 100 kWh per-month blocks) from the community solar project. Other models 

include monthly energy outputs from a specific investment dollar amount or a specific 

number of panels. 

Community solar garden and customer subscription-based projects can be solely owned 

by the utility, solely owned by third-party developers with facilitation of billing provided 

by the utility, or a joint venture between the utility and a third-party developer leading to 

eventual ownership by the utility after the tax benefits have been absorbed by the thirdparty developer. 

There are some states that offer solar incentives for community solar projects, including 

Washington State (production incentive) and Utah (state income tax credit). Community 

solar is known as solar gardens, depending on the location (e.g., Colorado). However, 

New Mexico currently does not allow community solar or VNM. In the future, it would 

be a great opportunity for policy development in community solar gardens or VNM so 

that a community or town nearby can take advantage of the solar PV project. 
29 

6 Conclusions and Recommendations 

The feasibility of a PV system installed is highly impacted by the available area for an 

array, solar resource, distance to transmission lines, and distance to major roads. The 

potential closest electrical tie-in location is the Hurley substation. Having a substation onsite makes it an ideal location for a PV system to tie into. A detailed interconnection 

study is recommended and will have to be performed through local electric utility, PNM, 

or a third party to determine the feasibility of utilizing the on-site substation as a tie-in 

point for a PV system. The Chino Mine site is suitable for a large-scale PV system 

because it is nearly flat, has adequate road and solar access, is zoned for industrial uses, 

and has extensive electrical distribution to the whole site. 

From the SAM analysis: 

• Case 1—Investor owned/PPA with 348 MW will work if the investor can sell the 

electricity of the PPA at $0.0727/kWh. Because the Chino Mine buys electricity 

from wholesale market at $0.045/kWh, which is much lower than that of the PPA, 

the Chino Mine is unlikely to buy electricity from the PV systems. In addition, 

PNM’s purchase rate is estimated to be approximately $0.055/kWh. Therefore, a 

solar investor is unlikely to invest, given current conditions. 

• Case 2—Developer owned/PPA has a positive NPV and shows the low LCOE of 

$0.0454/kWh. The developer can develop the feasible project and then sell 

electricity to the utility at $0.055/kWh. This case is economically viable with an 

NPV of $4,615,125 and a payback of 14 years.

• Case 3—Developer owned/VNM has a positive NPV and a feasible payback of 

7 years. This case has the best economic scenario. However, VNM is not 

available for New Mexico. The VNM arrangement should be pursued with the 

PUC in the future. 

Results of the JEDI model analysis show that the total proposed system of 348 MW is 

estimated to support 10,588 direct and indirect jobs per year for the duration of the 

procurement and construction period. Total wages paid to workers during the 

construction period are estimated to be $323,575,000, and total economic output is 

estimated to be $759,779,400. The annual O&M of the new PV system is estimated to 

support 129 FTEs per year for the life of the system. The jobs and associated spending 

are projected to account for approximately $6,553,300 in earnings and $10,748,500 in 

economic activity each year for the next 25 years.

Improvements to the incentives could change these projects to be very favorable. Such 

incentives would include an increase to the purchase price from PNM, loan guarantees 

with longer repayment periods, and higher REC payments that would apply to 

larger systems. 

A very large PV capacity can potentially be developed at the Chino Mine sites. To find 

potential buyers for the generated electricity through a PPA at a reasonable price, whether 

they are a local or interstate utility company, will be a key to the project development. 

Based on the analysis, the developer-owned PV project becomes feasible with a PPA at 
30 

the rate of $0.055/kWh and above. The rate of $0.055/kWh is the rate that the utility is 

offering to pay for. Therefore, there is a high probability of the PV project for this case 

being successful. VNM can also be a good option to sell the electricity credits to one or 

other locations if the state allows. The VNM arrangement may be pursued with the PUC 

in the future. In addition, any environmental considerations shall be included in the RFP 

during project development. 

For multiple reasons, such as the high cost of energy, the dropping cost of PV, and the 

existence of an adequate solar resource and available incentives, this report finds that a 

large PV system is feasible for the site currently and in the future. The developer-owned 

PV system with a PPA provides a reasonable payback. Alternatively, a third-party 

ownership PPA can also be the feasible way for a system to be financed and installed on 

this site. It is recommended that the Chino Mine and Silver City further pursue 

opportunities of developing the PV project at the Chino Mine site. A smaller project 

(~1 MW) may be developed as a good starting point. For future work, the RFP shall be 

developed and issued and sent out to third-party investors/developers. 
31 

Appendix A. Assessment and Calculations 

Assumptions

Table A-1. Cost, System, and Other Assessment Assumptions

Cost Assumptions

Variable Quantity of 

Variable

Unit of Variable

Cost of Site Electricity (buyback/retail) 0.055/0.045 $/kWh

Annual O&M (fixed) 20 $/kW/year

System Assumptions

System Type Annual energy 

kWh/kW

Installed Cost 

($/W)

Energy Density 

(W/ft2

) 

Fixed-Tilt Ground-Mounted System 1,712 $2.79 4.0

Other Assumptions

1 acre 43,560 ft2

1 MW 1,000,000 W

Ground utilization 90% of available 

area
32 

Appendix B. Solar Access Measurements

Figure B-1. Solar access measurements for Chino Mine PV site
33 

Appendix C. Results of the JEDI Model

Table C-1. JEDI Results

Project Descriptive Data 

 Project Location NEW MEXICO

 Population (only required for county/region analysis)

 Year of Construction or Installation 2013

 System Application Utility

 Solar Cell/Module Material Crystalline Silicon

 System Tracking Fixed Mount

 Average System Size—DC Nameplate Capacity (kW) 348,000.0

 Number of Systems Installed 1.0

 Total Project Size—DC Nameplate Capacity (kW) 348,000.0 

 Base Installed System Cost ($/kWDC) $2,790

 Annual Direct Operation and Maintenance Cost ($/kW) $25.00

 Money Value (Dollar Year) 2012

Local Economic Impacts—

Summary Results 

 Jobs Earnings Output

During 

Construction 

and Installation 

Period $ (2012) $ (2012)

Project 

Development 

and On-Site 

Labor Impacts 

Construction 

and Installation 

Labor 1,366.0 $88,468.50 

Construction 

and 

InstallationRelated 

Services 2,437.6 $75,672.50 

Subtotal 3,803.5 $164,140.90 $269,687.20 

Module and 

Supply Chain 

Impacts 

Manufacturing 0.0 $0.00 $0.00 
34 

Impacts

Trade 

(Wholesale and 

Retail) 406.8 $17,045.00 $50,901.20 

Finance, 

Insurance, and 

Real Estate 0.0 $0.00 $0.00 

Professional 

Services 491.5 $16,922.10 $55,713.40 

Other Services 675.1 $49,949.70 $173,448.00 

Other Sectors 1,556.1 $28,556.40 $51,542.80 

Subtotal 3,129.5 $112,473.20 $331,605.40 

Induced 

Impacts 1,531.5 $46,960.80 $158,486.80 

Total Impacts 8,464.6 $323,575.00 $759,779.40 

 

 Annual Annual

 Annual Earnings Output

During 

Operating 

Years Jobs $ (2012) $ (2012)

On-Site Labor 

Impacts 

PV Project 

Labor Only 80.6 $4,848.40 $4,848.40 

Local Revenue 

and Supply 

Chain Impacts 30.4 $1,245.30 $4,011.30 

Induced 

Impacts 18.3 $559.80 $1,888.70 

Total Impacts 129.3 $6,653.50 $10,748.50 

Notes: Earnings and output values are thousands of dollars in year 2012 

dollars. Construction and operating period jobs are full-time equivalent for 

one year (1 FTE = 2,080 hours). Economic impacts "During operating 

years" represent impacts that occur from system/plant 

operations/expenditures. Totals may not add up due to independent 

rounding.

Detailed PV Project Data 

Costs

 (New 

Mexico) 

 

Purchased

Locally (%)

Manufactured

Locally (Y or N)

Installation 

Costs Cost

Materials 

and 

Equipment 
35 

Mounting 

(rails, 

clamps, 

fittings, etc.) $44,290,853 100% N 

Modules $486,422,163 100% N 

Electrical 

(wire, 

connectors, 

breakers, 

etc.) $50,499,107 100% N 

Inverter $72,339,706 100% N 

Subtotal $653,551,829 

Labor 

Installation $110,664,860 100% 

Subtotal $110,664,860 

Subtotal $764,216,689 

Other Costs 

Permitting $5,113,674 100% 

Other Costs $113,012,195 100% 

Business 

Overhead $332,177,443 100% 

Subtotal $450,303,311 

Subtotal $1,214,520,000 

Sales Tax 

(Materials 

and

Equipment 

Purchases) $33,494,531 100% 

Total $1,248,014,531 

 

PV System Annual Operation

and Maintenance Costs 

Manufactured

 Cost Locally (Y or N)

Local 

Share

Labor 

 

Technicians $5,220,000 100% 

Subtotal $5,220,000 

Materials 

and 

Services 

Materials 

and $3,480,000 100% N 
36 

Equipment

Services $0 100% 

Subtotal $3,480,000 

Sales Tax 

(Materials 

and

Equipment 

Purchases) $178,350 100% 

Average 

Annual 

Payment 

(Interest and 

Principal) $140,884,320 0% 

Property 

Taxes $0 100% 

Total $149,762,670 

 

Other 

Parameters 

Financial 

Parameters 

Debt 

Financing 

Percentage 

Financed 80% 0% 

Years 

Financed 

(term) 10 

Interest rate 10% 

Tax 

Parameters 

Local 

Property 

Tax (percent 

of taxable 

value) 0% 

Assessed 

Value 

(percent of 

construction 

cost) 0% 

Taxable 

Value 

(percent of 

assessed 

value) 0% 

Taxable $0 
37 

Value

Property 

Tax 

Exemption 

(percent of 

local taxes) 0% 

Local 

Property 

Taxes $0 100% 

Local Sales 

Tax Rate 5.13% 100% 

Sales Tax 

Exemption 

(percent of 

local taxes) 0% 

Payroll 

Parameters Wage per hour

Employer payroll 

overhead

Construction 

and 

Installation 

Labor 

 

Construction 

Workers/ 

Installers $21.39 45.6% 

O&M Labor 

Technicians $21.39 45.6%
38 

Appendix D. Assumptions and Results of the 

System Advisor Model

Case 1: Investor owned/PPA with 348 MW 

This case assumes third-party investor for the PV system. All generated electricity from 

case 1 is assumed to be sold. The results of this case are to estimate the electricity rate as 

a PPA to get acceptable return on investment (15% internal rate of return). 

Case 2: Developer owned/PPA with 348 MW 

This case assumes FMI owns the PV system. All generated electricity will be sold as a 

PPA with PNM or an interstate utility at the rate of $0.055/kWh. 

Case 3: Developer owned/virtual net metering with 348 MW

VNM is currently not available in New Mexico. Case 3 is to demonstrate the potential 

economic benefits for this option. This case assumes FMI owns the PV system. All 

electricity would be VNM to generate credits at retail electricity rate that can be used to 

offset charges at one or more other locations within the same geographic boundary. Retail 

electricity rate of $0.11/kWh is used for this analysis. 

Case 3 Results

Table D-1. Case 3 Results
39 

Figure D-1. PV system output 

Figure D-2. Levelized cost of energy 
40 

Figure D-3. After tax cash flow

Assumptions for Inputs (For case 3 as the best economic 

results)

Figure D-4. Climate input
41 

Figure D-5. Utility rate assumptions

Figure D-6. Financing assumptions
42 

Figure D-7. Tax credit incentives assumptions

Figure D-8. Payment incentives assumptions
43 

Figure D-9. Annual performance assumptions

Figure D-10. PV system costs
44 

Figure D-11. PVWatts solar array assumptions
45 

Figure D-12. Electrical loads assumptions