Source: https://www.caionline.org/Advocacy/StateAdvocacy/PriorityIssues/SolarRestrictions/Pages/NM.aspx
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 22:29:04+00:00

Document:
Sections 47-3-1 through 47-3-5 NMSA 1978 may be cited as the "Solar Rights Act".
The legislature declares that the state of New Mexico recognizes that economic benefits can be derived for the people of the state from the use of solar energy. Operations, research, experimentation and development in the field of solar energy use shall therefore be encouraged. While recognizing the value of research and development of solar energy use techniques and devices by governmental agencies, the legislature finds and declares that the actual construction and use of solar devices, whether at public or private expense, is properly a commercial activity which the law should encourage to be carried out, whenever practicable, by private enterprise.
History: 1953 Comp., § 70-8-2, enacted by Laws 1977, ch. 169, § 2.
B. "solar right" means a right to an unobstructed line-of-sight path from a solar collector to the sun, which permits radiation from the sun to impinge directly on the solar collector.
History: 1953 Comp., § 70-8-3, enacted by Laws 1977, ch. 169, § 3; 2007, ch. 232, § 3.
47-3-4. Declaration of solar rights.
A. The legislature declares that the right to use the natural resource of solar energy is a property right, the exercise of which is to be encouraged and regulated by the laws of this state. Such property right shall be known as a solar right.
(3) "transferability." Solar rights shall be freely transferable within the bounds of such regulation as the legislature may impose. The transfer of a solar right shall be recorded in accordance with Chapter 14, Article 9 NMSA 1978.
C. Unless a singular overriding state concerns occur which significantly affect the health and welfare of the citizens of this state, permit systems for the use and application of solar energy shall reside with county and municipal zoning authorities.
History: 1953 Comp., § 70-8-4, enacted by Laws 1977, ch. 169, § 4.
Nothing in the Solar Rights Act shall be construed to alter, amend, deny, impair or modify any solar right, lease, easement or contract right which has vested prior to the effective date of the Solar Rights Act.
History: 1953 Comp., § 70-8-5, enacted by Laws 1977, ch. 169, § 5.

References: § 70
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 § 70
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 § 3
 § 70
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 § 70
 § 5