Clean Energy Resources
Developing a renewable energy project requires research into complex technical factors regarding analysis of renewable resources on your property. Then there are legal requirements and the availability of infrastructure to consider. NatureNet Energy can help point you to the right resources and provide some general guidance for your information gathering process.
First, assuming you’ve decided you want to invest in a renewable energy project, there are a few questions you need to consider:
- Should I choose wind or solar?
- How can I calculate my revenue potential?
- Where can I sell the energy I’m generating?
- How do I find the right developer to build the project?
- Who is going to operate the project and what are the maintenance requirements?
- How will renewable energy affect my land use? Can I graze cattle or sheep on the land or grow crops?
- What are the plans for construction cleanup?
- How will the project be decommissioned at the end of its life?
If you’re a renewable energy developer looking for land to build a new project, you might have a different set of questions. Nature Net Energy wants to be a resource for you in getting these answers:
- Is there met tower or solar radiation data?
- Is the FAA going to allow wind turbines in the area?
- Will local, state and federal regulators allow solar energy development in this area?
- Have bird or raptor studies been done for this location?
- Are state or federal lands involved?
Every renewable energy project has to follow the same fundamental steps. There are resources and maps to help with:
- Site assessment for renewable energy potential
- Interconnection - how will you get your energy to market?
- Land acquisition and permit research
- Pursuit of power purchase agreements
- Design and engineering
- Developer / financial partnerships
- Construction
- Commissioning
- Decommissioning
Maps & Renewable Energy Resource Databases
The U.S. government publishes excellent maps that show the solar and wind potential across the country. Some are complex interactive maps, best used on the site of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). There are dozens of different databases that compile different parameters, such as wind speeds at different heights above the ground, and others that report solar insolation at precise locations.
Solar Resources
NREL Solar Radiation GHI
NREL’s Global Solar Horizontal (GHI) Irradiation Map – one of its many solar data sources – measures the total solar radiation on a horizontal surface, including direct, diffuse and ground-reflected light. Ratios between the different types of irradiation can be a clue to the amount of cloud cover or pollution.
Visit NREL’s extensive collection of solar irradiation databases and maps. >>
NREL Renewable Energy Data Explorer / PV Watts
The Renewable Energy Data Explorer at the NREL is one of the most useful tools for renewable energy developers, including the popular tool – PV Watts. All you need to do is enter address and the tool will calculate your potential solar production.
Global Solar Atlas
The Global Solar Atlas – has a) interactive maps b) a PV energy yield calculator c) downloadable maps (for poster presentations) and GIS data layers for advanced geospatial analysis d) country and regional solar potential statistics.
Visit the Global Solar Atlas (this is a link to the US section) >>
Wind Resources
NREL' s Geospatial Data Science Wind Resource
For access to a wide variety of wind resource maps and geospatial data tools, please visit the NREL Geospatial Data Science Wind Resource >>
NREL: Download Wind Maps and Data:
Within NREL’s Geospacial Data Science Wind Resource is the section on Wind Resource Maps and Data where you can download map images and data for North America. You can also, as part of NREL’s Grid Modernization efforts, access extensive datasets in the section on Wind Integration Data and Tools >>
To get started, you may want to have a look at these maps of the wind resource in New Mexico and Colorado:
New Mexico Land-based Wind Speed at 80 meters.
Colorado Land-based Wind Speed at 80 meters.
New Mexico Land-based Wind Speed at 100 meters.
Colorado Land-based Wind Speed at 100 meters.
Please note this useful TUTORIAL on using Wind Resource Maps. Learn More >>
Not interested in wading through dozens of government databases? Let us do the research for you!
Transmission & Energy Storage
Many states have public information available to help develop renewable energy projects. We hope to be able to compile and share some of the most useful resources for New Mexico and Colorado. Following is a sample of resources on transmission and storage from New Mexico.
The New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority (NM RETA) commissioned this 2020 study (about 200 pages) to consider the technical and economic potential for renewable resources in New Mexico through 2032. Includes exploration of renewable energy, transmission and storage. Download >>
The New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority (NM RETA) commissioned this 2022 60-page update of the original NMRETA study of 2020. The update explores transmission “collector plans” as well as New Mexico’s Western Spirit transmission project. Download >>
This is the eight-page Executive Summary of the 2022 New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority (NM RETA) transmission study. It summarizes New Mexico’s renewable energy potential, economic opportunity and accomplishments so far. Download >>
This 32-page report assesses the energy storage market status and growth anticipated to meet New Mexico’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) goals. Download >>
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