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Our complete guide to solar power in Nevada
Solar power in Nevada
Last fact checked on January 24, 2020 by Catherine Lane
Nevada has had a rocky past with solar, but with the return of net metering, things may be heading in the right direction.
The state revised their renewable portfolio standard (RPS) to require utilities to derive 50% of their energy from renewable sources by 2030. While increasing the amount of energy that needs to be produced by renewables is a huge step forward, the revised RPS removed the state’s solar carve out. There is no longer a minimum percentage of energy that must be produced by solar systems. However, the ambitious goal of 50% renewable energy may lead utilities to creating new incentive programs.
Between net metering being reinstated and the federal tax credit, you have the potential for big savings if you act fast.
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Nevada solar power facts
$2.82
watt
Average cost: 5kw solar power system
?9 Years 5 Months
Average payback time
$75,033
Average lifetime savings
?5¢
kWh
Levelized cost of solar energy
19¢
kWh
If you don't get solar
?25,961
kWh
Annual power production
Cash flow graph based on cash purchase of a 16.2kW system
This 16.2kW system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill in Nevada is $225, however your situation may vary so try our solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.
Solar companies in Nevada that provide pricing through the Solar-Estimate marketplace:
2
Compare solar quotes from the top solar companies in Nevada
How much do solar panels cost in Nevada?
$2.82
per watt
Cash purchased solar system
Before 26% solar tax credit
$2.97
per watt
Financed solar system
Before 26% solar tax credit
$17.1¢
cents/kWh
Lease/PPA
Before 26% solar tax credit
What are the pros and cons of installing solar panels in Nevada?
The advantage of installing solar panels in Nevada is that there is excellent sun exposure, so your solar panels produce a lot more energy than they would in other states. High levels of solar irradiance coupled with net metering translates into huge savings on your electric bill. All of this, in addition to the federal tax credit, can cover a significant portion of your installation costs.
SolarPowerRocks provides a great breakdown of solar incentives and policy for each state within the US.
The disadvantage of installing solar panels in Nevada is that the state does not offer much in the way of incentives or rebates, meaning it's even more important to switch to solar now while the 26% federal tax credit is still available.
Calculate the potential costs and savings you can receive from installing solar panels for your home.
Best solar companies in Nevada
Find local city information
Find local information for cities in Nevada
Best brands of solar panels
To find the best brands of solar panels you can use America's most trusted solar panel comparison and reviews website, SolarReviews.
However, reviews of solar panels can be a bit meaningless because most consumer owners have not had any issues and so while solar company reviews are very important when choosing solar installers they are of less use when choosing solar panels.
For more information to help you make an informed decision about this topic, I would recommend this article about buying solar panels.
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How much electricity will solar panels produce in Nevada
Solar panels produce different amounts of energy in different locations.
Around the Las Vegas area solar panels installed on a south facing 29 degree pitch roof will typically produce:
1,471kWh
per year per 1kw of peak DC (direct current) capacity
For more information about how your location, roof direction and roof tilt affects solar power production use the solar panels calculator and enter your address below.
See how much electricity your solar could produce
I want to buy a solar panel kit and install it myself
What rebates, solar tax credits and other solar incentives are available in Nevada?
Net metering in Nevada
In 2017, Nevada instituted a new net metering policy that established 4 different rate tiers dictating which rates customers received. It was based on a decreasing percentage of the retail rate of power over time as each benchmark is met. The following table describes this tiered policy:
| Tier | % of retail rate | Benchmark capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 95% | 80 MW |
| 2 | 88% | 80 MW |
| 3 | 81% | 80 MW |
| 4 | 75% |
80 MW |
Here’s an example of how this works:
You decided to install solar while the net metering program was in Tier 2. You receive a credit that equals 88% of the retail price of electricity for each excess kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy you export to the utility’s grid. You will receive that rate for 20 years.
Your neighbor then decided to go solar after hearing about how much you reduced your monthly electric bill. By the time he installed, the net metering program was moved into Tier 3. This means your neighbor will receive a credit that equals 81% of the retail price of electricity for each excess kWh of energy he exports to the utility’s grid. He will receive that rate for 20 years.
This net metering program means that the sooner you go solar, the better the rate you’ll get and the more you can save on your electric bill.
Renewable Portfolio Standard
Nevada’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS) was recently revamped to require utilities to derive 50% of their energy from renewable sources by 2030.
Under Nevada’s previous RPS, a certain percentage of a utility's energy had to be derived from solar systems in what was known as a "solar carve out". In order for utilities to meet this standard, they could purchase what were known as portfolio energy credits (PECs), which represent the environmental attributes of 1 kWh of electricity that is produced from renewable sources. The price of PECs fluctuate depending on market needs, and if your system is a registered PEC producer, you could sell PECs and receive a little extra cash.
In 2019, the RPS was amended and the solar carve out was removed. This means that utilities will not be required to purchase a specified amount of PECs created through solar energy, and the price of PECs produced through solar will not be as valuable.
Nevada Solar Calculator
Regardless of what you want to know about the economics of installing solar panels for your home or business in Nevada we have a solar calculator that can show you exactly the information your require.
What you can find out about installing solar panels in Nevada using our full monthly solar calculator
This solar calculator requires you to input your address, utility company, your average monthly power spend - It tells you:
- What size solar system do you need?
Answers the question of How many solar panels do I need? - How many square feet of roof space you need for solar panels
- Solar electricity production in annual kWh (kilowatt hours) you can expect from your solar system in Nevada
- The value of solar tax credits and other incentives you are entitled to based on the estimated size of system you need, your location and your utility provider.
- Likely cost based on an average of prices charged for solar systems of that size in the last year in Nevada or Las Vegas ;
- The likely payback period on your solar panels and your investment return.
- Your total lifetime solar savings based on each of the major solar finance options, a cash purchase, a cash purchase funded with a HELOC sol (home equity line of credit) and a zero down PPA or third party lease product.
If you want to see all of the above but also see live pricing, the three best solar deals available in your city and get binding quotes from each of these solar companies then use this Nevada solar panels calculator. This calculator requires you to also input your name and contact details because most of our 200+ installer partners will only authorize the sharing of their live solar pricing where we have validated that you are a real homeowner with a home in their service area. We respect the privacy of your data and only share your contact details with the solar companies you ask us to get binding quotes from.
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Going solar in Nevada
Check out all of the ways energy providers of Nevada can help you be more energy efficient and save money.
The following programs are available:
| Incentive Name | Eligibility | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
| Portfolio Energy Credits | State | Performance-Based Incentive |
| Net Metering | State | Net Metering |
| NV Energy - RenewableGenerations Rebate Program - Expired June 2019 | Utility | Rebate Program |
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Your city may have further incentives to offer. Please keep in mind that the best source of up-to-date information on incentives are the solar installers who specialize in your area.
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