Major solar project announced in Belen

Posted at: 09/11/2009 5:41 PM | Updated at: 09/11/2009 8:26 PM
By: Stuart Dyson, Eyewitness News 4; Charlie Pabst, KOB.com

Solar power and green jobs are on the way for the town of Belen and Valencia County, both hit hard in the recession.

Belen's unemployment rate is well above the statewide average of 7%. Small businesses have been boarding up the windows, so Friday's announcement was welcomed all across Valencia County.

Governor Bill Richardson delivered the good news about three new solar power dishes for Belen's city hall, and a new 160 acre solar testing and research center—to be called Star Center.

" We're not just creating a solar future for our state, but we're creating jobs - a whole new clean industry in our state," Richardson said.

Rick Scheu, VP of Operations for Integrative Solar said, "The construction of this project will employ hundreds of people during construction, and at least 50 positions after it's built."

Belen Mayor Ronnie Torres said that solar jobs will be good for the community.

"It's gonna be higher-paying jobs, and it's gonna be jobs for skilled people, so it's gonna be great to keep some of our people here in the city itself," Torres said.

The solar dishes are just the first step as Integrative Solar partners up with Belen and the state government for the Star Center project.

The new solar dishes are expected to save about 46% on the electric bills for Belen City Hall.

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