Go Solar in Reno
In Reno, Solar Incentives are setting the standard.
Nevada is ranked first in the Nation in both Installed Geothermal Energy and Installed Solar Energy Capacity on a per-person Basis. In Reno, there’s never been a better time to go solar. Incentives from NV Energy and the Federal Stimulus make going solar now truly worth the wait. This page highlights the best and brightest of the incentives.
Energy Efficiency & Conservation Savings
NV Energy offers a number of programs and services designed to help customers save electricity and money. These programs include efficient pool pump rebates, refrigerator recycling, Solar, wind, and hydro rebates, CFL discounts, energy efficient lighting and air conditioner rebates.
NV Energy’s Save Energy program offers additional help with weathering and conservation programs.
The Sure Bet Program offers incentives to NV Energy’s Commercial customers to assist them with retrofit and equipment replacement projects that substantially improve electric energy efficiency. Sure Bet incentives are available to both existing and new construction commercial customers.
Rebates for Solar, Wind, & Hydro Installation
Renewable Generations NV Energy’s incentive program manages and administer the rebates for installing renewable energy in your home, small business, as well as for agriculture, public buildings and for schools. Customers can receive a one-time cash payment after approval and installation of a photovoltaic, small wind or micro-hydro generating system on their home, small business, agriculture property, public building or school.
Workshops & Education
The Nevada Focus Energy Efficiency Training and Certification Program is a workshop series for building engineers, facility operators, their crews and other interested parties. You’ll learn and/or refresh your knowledge on how to improve energy and water efficiency and indoor air quality and make your facility more environmentally friendly.
For more information, log onto www.nvfocus.com, scroll down to the page bottom and click on either northern and rural or southern Nevada.
In partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno, NV Energy led the creation of a renewable energy minor as part of the University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Engineering degree programs. The renewable energy minor offers interdisciplinary courses that encourage the study and expansion of renewable energy technology, installation and policy.
Truckee Meadows Community College offers an Associate degree in Renewable Energy and the following related classes:
• Design with Climate
• Introduction to LEED and Sustainable Building
• Introduction to Renewable Energy
• Introduction to Wind Energy
• Fundamentals of Energy Efficiency
• Introduction to Solar Energy
• Solar Photovoltaic Certification
• Geology of Geothermal Energy Resources
NV Energy offers classes through its RenewableGenerations program.
The University of Las Vegas offers the following classes:
• Design with Climate
• Developing Sustainable Design
• Introduction to Solar Energy Utilization
• Introduction to Electrical Power Engineering
The College of Southern Nevada offers the following class:
• Renewable Energy
The AFL-CIO offers the following classes through its IBEW local unions 401 in Reno and 357 in Las Vegas as part of their year-round curriculum:
• PV1
• PV2
Solar forces, Inc. has teamed up with Associated Builders and Contractors Las Vegas to offer the following workshop:
• PV Fundamentals Workshop
Federal Stimulus Package
30% Tax Credit on Solar Arrays and Energy Efficiency
The most celebrated national incentive is the federal tax credit for solar systems that was expanded on Jan. 1, 2009. The credit covers 30 percent of the system cost and can be coupled with state, local and utility incentives. This means you get 30% CASH back or TAX CREDIT (your choice) on your solar investment immediately. This tax credit applies to solar arrays and solar thermal systems as well as smaller appliances and energy efficiency measures.
Cost Break Down
Solar Power Rocks!
With NV Energy and the Federal Stimulus package helping the deal, what might a cost breakdown look like in real numbers? Check out Solar Power Rocks/Nevada breakdown of costs for a sample home and solar array.
Policymaking in NV
Public Utilities Commission of Nevada The Nevada governmental agency charged with regulating utilities.
Nevada AB3 Makes various changes relating to energy, conservation, construction and renovation and creates incentives and standards for green buildings.
Nevada Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Task Force The Nevada Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Task Force advises the Nevada State Office of Energy in the development and periodic review of the comprehensive state energy plan with regard to the use of renewable energy and the use of measures which conserve or reduce the demand for energy or which result in the more efficient use of energy.
Nevada State Office of Energy
The Nevada State Office of Energy is responsible for implementing Gov. Kenny Guinn’s Nevada Energy Protection Plan, a comprehensive plan that seeks to ensure a reliable, affordable and diverse energy supply for Nevada.
