Kilonewton's Key Role in Escalante Solar: From Coal to Clean Energy in New Mexico

We are excited to share Kilonewton’s integral role in the Escalante Solar project, a landmark achievement in the renewable energy sector.

In collaboration with Origis Energy, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, and Gridworks, we have transformed the former 253-MWac, coal-fired Escalante Station into a 200 MWac solar powerhouse, providing clean, carbon-free electricity to over 63,000 homes in New Mexico.

Escalante Solar, which began generating electricity on June 1, 2024, is a significant step forward in meeting Tri-State’s Responsible Energy Plan and the goals set by New Mexico’s Energy Transition Act. This project supports Tri-State’s decarbonization objectives and contributes to a sustainable and eco-friendly future.

At Kilonewton, we played a critical role in the Escalante Solar project by providing our specialized SiTE™ Optimization Services. Our involvement spanned from site selection to final construction, ensuring the project was executed efficiently and effectively. We conducted early-stage evaluations for optimal site selection, supported site build evaluation, budgeting, permitting, and quoting processes. We also delivered detailed civil and structural engineering plans, including grading and design optimization, and oversaw the final design and construction phases.

We developed detailed PV Array Grading Plans, Preliminary and Detailed Pile/Foundation Designs, and provided comprehensive Project Management Services. These technical solutions were vital in meeting project goals, adhering to timelines, and ensuring high-quality execution.

This project not only brings significant economic benefits to McKinley County, contributing approximately $7.1 million in taxes to the county and $2.4 million to the local school district over its lifespan, but also created an estimated 400 jobs during construction and ongoing operational roles.

We are incredibly proud of our partnership with Origis Energy, Tri-State, and Gridworks and are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the clean energy landscape. Escalante Solar exemplifies the power of collaboration and innovation in building a sustainable future for our communities and the planet.

For more details, read the full press release here.

Midterms are Coming: Check Your Candidate’s Record on Renewables

It’s not easy making decisions about who to vote for these days, but perhaps seeing which candidates rate greener can help you choose. Here is a piece that PV Magazine did along with Advanced Energy Economy, giving a list of states (including New Mexico) along with their endorsements for prioritization of renewable energy. You can also check your current representatives’ voting history in the League of Conservation Voters website below. Your vote counts, do your research.

PV MAGAZINE: Democrats sweep AEE clean energy scorecards

https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2018/10/16/democrats-sweep-aee-clean-energy-scorecards/

 “Trade group Advanced Energy Economy has published a scorecard which ranks candidates in nine gubernatorial races on clean energy issues, and one of the two major parties is largely missing in action.”

League of Conservation Voters

http://scorecard.lcv.org/

GTM: My Experience With Community Solar: Excessively Complicated and Frustrating

Creating successful community solar projects is a difficult proposition, virtually impossible in some areas, however it is growing at an incredible rate. From a customer perspective, this article explains some of the frustration and confusion that happens when companies inform about solar in your community. According to the writer, customers are already sold on the idea, they need to understand more of the details early on.  Read the article below to find out more:

GTM: My Experience With Community Solar: Excessively Complicated and Frustrating https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/my-experience-with-community-solar?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Daily&utm_campaign=GTMDaily#gs.Z163oWY



 JOSH GARRETT of GTM writes:

“If someone is considering subscribing to a community project, chances are they’re excited about “going solar” and realizing its environmental and climate benefits. What potential subscribers are not excited about is a 20-year contract and figuring out where exactly their money is going. That’s why marketers and salespeople should cut right to the chase on the less-feel-good aspects of community solar early in the process and be prepared to explain and answer questions about them over and over, in different ways.”

SPI 2018: Great Seeing Everyone!

SPI was a whirlwind! We visited with several clients over the span of the event, spent some time with industry leaders at the Future PV Roundtable, checked out some of the new technology on display, and even tried to have some fun! The venue was huge, but the weather was great, so we took advantage of the tables outside the event for some meetings. It was well-attended, and we had a hard time getting around to see everyone we wanted. Sorry if we missed you!

Some key takeaways were that module and tracker companies are more and more focused on bi-facial technology. We expect to see more of this trend as better certainty of bifacial production can be realized. First Solar series 6 modules were everywhere as well, it seemed, through their new Ecosystem initiative.

 We also are seeing more and more interesting software out there – some of these guys had booths as big as the module companies, and about half of startup alley was filled with various technologies we can use to make fields better, faster, and cheaper! Of course, storage was a big topic, but we’re still not seeing compelling commercial/utility-scale options. The primary strategy for now is to distribute the batteries at the load side, rather than build huge battery farms at utility fields.

 We’re sharing some photos of the show and us having some fun below. Greentech Media had a nice article featuring some of the newest tech, which you can read below as well, covering car chargers, modules, inverters, and batteries. Check it out!

“The scrappy industry has found a new fantastic point of view.” JULIAN SPECTOR, EMMA FOEHRINGER MERCHANT

GTM - A Whole New World of PV: Product Launch Roundup from Solar Power International:

 https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/a-whole-new-world-of-solar-gtms-magical-spi-product-launch-roundup?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Daily&utm_campaign=GTMDaily#gs.al7mYi4 

Kilonewton will be at Solar Power International next week September 25-27th!

Solar Power International (SPI) is North America's largest solar trade show. Over 18,000 attendees and 650 exhibitors travel from 110 countries. We will be there @SPIcon learning about new technology in #solar #energy to create a better future for our customers and we're definitely excited about what we can bring to NM!

LINKS -https://events.solar/

https://www.solarpowerinternational.com/