In short: Las Cruces is on El Paso Electric, which averaged 10.2¢ per kWh for New Mexico homes in 2024, about a third less than PNM, and about 100 outage minutes per customer. It has the strongest sun of New Mexico’s big cities, but a rate increase is pending and solar surplus earns less than retail.
Here is what that means for solar, batteries, backup power and EV charging in Las Cruces, and what El Paso Electric’s New Mexico rules say. For statewide rules, including the 10% state solar and battery tax credit and contractor licensing, see our New Mexico energy guide.
Las Cruces at a glance
- Utility: El Paso Electric (EPE). Its New Mexico homes paid about 10.2¢ per kWh on average in 2024, all charges included, and used about 8,900 kWh a year (EIA-861, 2024).
- Outages (2024): about 100 minutes per customer, with no major event days reported, and 0.9 interruptions per customer.
- Sun: 5.75 kWh per square meter per day, from 3.2 in December to 8.0 in June (NASA POWER, 2001–2020). Our rough estimate: about 1,680 kWh a year per kW of panels.
- Top hazards: FEMA’s National Risk Index (December 2025) rates Doña Ana County’s overall risk “relatively high,” with winter weather and lightning “very high,” and drought, hail and flooding “relatively high.” Wildfire rates “relatively low.”
- Public charging: 100 ports at 43 locations in Las Cruces (AFDC, October 2026).
Your utility and what it means
- Net metering with a size cap: EPE limits New Mexico net metering to systems expected to make no more than 120% of your yearly use, whether you own the system or lease it. Over that size, other metering options apply, and excess power may earn little or nothing.
- How surplus is credited: each month you pay for the net power you take. Net solar surplus is credited based on EPE’s fuel and purchased-power cost adjustment, not the full retail price. So solar you use at home is worth more than solar you send back.
- Fees and steps: EPE’s interconnection page lists a $150 application fee for systems of 1 to 25 kW. The installer submits diagrams, gets EPE’s design approval and the building permit, then installs. After the final electrical inspection, EPE inspects and fits a two-way meter. Do not switch the system on before then.
- Rate case pending: in March 2026, EPE asked the Public Regulation Commission for a $70.4 million increase in New Mexico (case 25-00082-UT). As filed, the average household bill would rise $15.01 a month on January 1, 2027 and another $26.81 on October 1, 2027. Hearings were scheduled through October 2, 2026, and the commission may approve less.
Backup power in Las Cruces
Las Cruces has one of the better grid records in the state: EPE’s New Mexico customers averaged about 1.7 hours without power in 2024, against about 4.6 hours on PNM’s system. We found no wildfire shutoff program for EPE in New Mexico. The risks to plan for are summer storms, with lightning rated “very high,” and winter cold snaps. A summer outage is the dangerous one here, because it takes away cooling.
- Short outages: a portable power station keeps phones, Wi-Fi, fans and a CPAP running.
- Keeping cool: refrigerated air needs a large battery or a generator. A home battery with solar can run an evaporative cooler or a small mini-split; a standby generator can carry central air. See generator installation.
Size your system with the battery backup calculator or the generator sizing tool, and compare options in our backup power guide. Run a generator outdoors only, at least 20 feet from the house with exhaust pointed away, and keep carbon monoxide alarms inside (CPSC).
Solar in Las Cruces
Each kW of panels here makes about 1,680 kWh a year by our estimate, the most of New Mexico’s large cities. At EPE’s 2024 average of 10.2¢, that saves about $170 a year per kW when you use the power at home (an estimate, not a quote). Surplus credited at the fuel-cost rate is worth less, so size the system to your daytime use. Afternoon cooling in summer helps, because that is when panels peak. An average EPE home uses about 8,900 kWh a year, which about 5.3 kW of panels would match on paper; the 120% cap works out to roughly 6.3 kW for that home. About one in ten EPE homes in New Mexico already had net-metered solar in 2024. If the pending rate increase is approved, each kWh of solar used at home becomes worth more.
Check your roof with the solar potential tool and the solar savings calculator, then read how solar installation works, what it costs and how net metering works.
Home batteries in Las Cruces
EPE’s territory is where New Mexico’s home batteries are: all 112 battery-paired home solar systems reported in the state in 2024 were on EPE’s New Mexico system. One likely reason is the credit rule: when surplus earns only a fuel-cost credit, storing midday solar to use in the evening keeps more of its value, and the battery gives backup too. The state tax credit on our New Mexico page covers batteries. Garages get very hot in summer, so check the battery’s temperature range. See battery costs and battery installation.
EV charging in Las Cruces
At about 30 kWh per 100 miles and 10.2¢, home charging costs roughly $3.05 per 100 miles, about $370 for 12,000 miles a year (an estimate). EPE’s New Mexico charging programs list:
Drive on another fuel? See every alternative fuel station in Las Cruces: hydrogen, propane, natural gas, E85 ethanol, biodiesel and renewable diesel.
- Home Wiring Program: up to $1,300 toward a new 240-volt outlet for charging (up to $1,800 for income-qualified homes), plus up to $2,500 more if a panel upgrade is needed. You must join EV Smart Rewards for 18 months or the Whole-House EV rate.
- Smart Charging Program: up to $500 toward a qualifying Level 2 charger ($600 income-qualified), with charging data shared through EV Smart Rewards.
- Whole-House EV rate: bill credits for charging in super off-peak hours.
Both rebates require an EV registered at the address and work done after April 1, 2024, and the wiring rebate is for single-family homes; apply by email as the program page explains. A Level 2 circuit needs a permit and a licensed electrician. See EV charger installation and the EV charging cost calculator.
Permits and inspections
- City of Las Cruces: the Community Development Department issues building and electrical permits inside city limits. Ask it about the current process and fee for a home solar permit; see the city’s permits page.
- Doña Ana County: handles permits for unincorporated areas outside the city.
EPE wants the building permit before installation and its own field inspection before you switch on. Generators, batteries and EV chargers need electrical permits too. If you have an HOA, get its written approval before you sign.
Cities we cover
- Las Cruces
Get help in Las Cruces
Are you a licensed installer in Las Cruces? Join SolutionEnergy and get requests from homeowners and businesses →
Tell us about your project and we will connect you with a licensed, independent installer who serves the Las Cruces area. It is free, there is no obligation, and only the installer you choose gets your details. Read how it works.
Las Cruces energy questions
Does El Paso Electric have net metering in New Mexico?
Yes, for systems expected to produce up to 120% of your yearly use. You pay for the net power you take each month, and net surplus is credited based on EPE’s fuel and purchased-power cost adjustment rather than the retail price. Larger systems need a different metering option.
Is EPE raising rates in New Mexico?
It has asked to. Under its March 2026 filing, the average household bill would rise $15.01 a month in January 2027 and $26.81 more in October 2027, $41.82 in total. The Public Regulation Commission has not decided; follow case 25-00082-UT.
Is a battery worth it in Las Cruces?
More than in most of New Mexico, because surplus solar earns only a fuel-cost credit, so storing it for evening use keeps more value. Outages are short here, so backup alone rarely justifies one. Compare the extra cost against the state tax credit and your evening use.
How much does EPE pay toward a home EV charger?
Its New Mexico programs list up to $500 toward a qualifying Level 2 charger and up to $1,300 toward a new 240-volt outlet, plus up to $2,500 if the panel needs upgrading. Income-qualified homes get more. You must join a managed charging program or the EV rate.
Sources
EIA-861, 2024 (price = residential revenue ÷ sales; reliability; net metering); El Paso Electric New Mexico interconnection, net metering options and EV program pages; New Mexico PRC, EPE rate proposal case 25-00082-UT; NASA POWER, 2001–2020; FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025; AFDC; CPSC. Read October 2026. Estimates are ours and labelled.