Nevada offers rebates, tax exemption and net metering as incentives for residential solar energy and other renewable energy systems.
The state has the most solar installed per capita in the country. But the installations are primarily major utility-scale projects. And a lot of the power sells over the border to California or goes to help Nevada meet is renewable energy portfolio standard, which requires it to get 25 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2025, including 6 percent from solar.
While the state's abundance of utility-scale solar is good for Nevada solar installers and manufacturers, it's not great news for homeowners. Nevada has clearly favored commercial solar projects over residential solar installations.
But the state does have some programs for homeowners and upped the limits in September 2012. The Nevada Energy RenewableGenerations program offers incentives as large as $13,500 for residences and $67,500 for small business. These rebates reduce system payback time substantially.
Net Metering rules in Nevada allow participants to carry credits forward indefinitely. The credits can be used to offset power costs, but the program does not provide a cash incentive.
Property owners can get property tax abatements to offset their investments in renewable sources like solar panels, solar hot water, geothermal, wind and hydroelectric. Abatements are open to residential property owners, small businesses and other commercial property owners.