Officials have broken ground on a new solar field that is being developed on state trust land near Deming.
New Mexico State Land Commissioner Ray Powell says the project by First Solar will be the largest solar plant on state trust land.
The Macho Springs solar power project will operate on a commercial lease with the State Land Office on about 500 acres of land at Macho Springs. The lease could generate as much as $40 million for state land trust beneficiaries over its 40-year term.
Construction is expected to be completed in May of 2014.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.