New Mexico § 71-6-7 - Department; duties relating to solar collector standards

§ 71-6-7. Department; duties relating to solar collector standards

A. The department shall promulgate rules to: (1) define minimum standards for the durability and reliability of solar collectors;

and (2) establish criteria for testing the durability, reliability and thermal efficiency

of solar collectors. B. In promulgating the rules required by Subsection A of this section, the department

shall: (1) consult with scientists, engineers and individuals in research centers and professional

societies such as the American society of testing and materials who are engaged in

the construction of, experimentation with and research of solar energy systems in

order to make changes, modifications and improvements to the standards and certification

program; (2) consider compliance costs to industry and, insofar as practicable, make efforts

to reduce such costs; and (3) consider similar standards and testing criteria adopted by other states or included

in nationally recognized and accepted testing methodologies. C. The department shall approve testing facilities that meet the criteria established

by Paragraph (2) of Subsection A of this section and that have no financial interest

in the manufacture, distribution or sale of solar collectors. An approved testing facility that is partially or wholly supported by state funds

may collect a reasonable testing fee sufficient to cover the costs of testing.