New Mexico's largest electric utility has plans for nearly doubling the size of its solar power generating station in southern New Mexico.
Public Service Company of New Mexico says the 78,000 solar panels at the plant near Deming are capable of using the sun's rays to generate enough electricity for about 1,600 average-sized homes.
With the expansion, another 60,000 solar panels will be added by November, boosting the plant's capacity to 9 megawatts.
Utility officials estimate that the plan will reduce carbon emissions by more than 8,300 tons a year. That's the equivalent of removing 1,575 cars from the road.
PNM also has plans to expand its plant in Los Lunas and build two new solar generating stations near Tularosa and in Valencia County to meet state renewable energy requirements.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.