Rebates

The Governor's Office of Energy provides the Direct Energy Assistance Loan (DEAL) program to help state employees make energy efficiency improvements to their homes. Full-time employees who own their homes are eligible for an interest-free loan repaid through a monthly payroll deduction. 

Employees may receive up to a $6,000 loan to make improvements recommended by a state-approved energy auditor. Loan terms are a maximum of 60 months, and monthly payments are set at $50 for loans up to $3,000 and $100 for loans of $3,001 - $6,000. Veterans may be eligible for loans up to $8,000 with an extended payback

Nevada established a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) as part of its 1997 restructuring legislation. Under the standard, NV Energy (formerly Nevada Power and Sierra Pacific Power) must use eligible renewable energy resources to supply a minimum percentage of the total electricity it sells. In 2001, the state increased the minimum requirement by 2% every two years, culminating in a 15% requirement by 2013. The portfolio requirement has been subsequently revised, most significantly by SB 358 (2019), which increased the requirement to 50% by 2030. In addition to solar, qualifying renewable energy resources include biomass, geothermal energy, wind, certain hydropower, energy

In December 2003, the Nevada Public Utilities Commission (PUC) adopted interconnection standards for customers of NV Energy (formerly Nevada Power and Sierra Pacific Power) with on-site generation up to 20 megawatts (MW) in capacity. These standards are largely consistent with IEEE 1547 standards, California's interconnection rule (California Rule 21) and the model interconnection agreement developed by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). Significantly, the PUC determined that NV Energy may assess customer-generators for past fuel and purchased-power expenses in tariffs. NV Energy has incorporated the standards into their tariffs as Rule 15.

The interconnection standards approved by

Note: S.B. 448 of 2021 extended this property tax abatement to include energy storage systems paired with eligible renewable energy systems.

New or expanded businesses in Nevada may apply to the Director of the State Office of Energy for a property tax abatement of up to 55% for up to 20 years for real and personal property used to generate and store electricity from renewable energy resources including solar, wind, biomass*, fuel cells, geothermal or hydro. Generation facilities must have a capacity of at least 10 megawatts (MW), and must plan to be in operation for at least 10 years

Note:  In 2010, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which has authority over mortgage underwriters Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, directed these enterprises against purchasing mortgages of homes with a PACE lien due to its senior status above a mortgage. Most residential PACE activity subsided following this directive; however, some residential PACE programs are now operating with loan loss reserve funds, appropriate disclosures, or other protections meant to address FHFA's concerns. Commercial PACE programs were not directly affected by FHFA’s actions, as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac do not underwrite commercial mortgages. Visit PACENation for more information about PACE financing

Nevada's original net-metering law for renewable-energy systems was enacted in 1997 and amended in 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017. Systems up to one megawatt (MW) in capacity that generate electricity using solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and certain types of hydropower are generally eligible, although systems greater than 25 kilowatts (kW) in capacity may be subject to certain costs at the utility's discretion. Systems must be designed to offset part or all of a customer-generator's electricity requirements. A system is not eligible for net metering if its generating capacity exceeds the greater of (1) the limit on

Nevada Energy offers a rebate to its residential customers for installing a Level 2 Electric Vehicle charger. This rebate is valued at the lesser of $500 or 75% of the installed costs. This incentive is for the first 1,000 customers who apply for it. For more information, visit the program website.

Much of the information presented in this summary is drawn from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building Energy Codes Program and the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP). For more detailed information about building energy codes, visit the DOE and BCAP websites.

Legislation signed in 2009 changed the process of adopting building codes in the state. Previously, the statewide code would only apply to local governments that had not already adopted a code, including less stringent codes. The code now applies to all jurisdictions, but local governments may adopt more stringent codes provided they notify the Office of Energy.

The

Nevada has a number of laws which prohibit restrictions on solar and wind energy systems. 

Nevada Revised Statutes 111.239 and 111.2395 relate to property. The laws disallow covenants, deeds, contracts, ordinances or other legal instruments which unreasonably restrict a property owner from using a solar or wind energy system on his or her property. For solar systems, unreasonable restrictions are those which decrease system performance by more than 10%. For wind systems, unreasonable restrictions are those which “significantly” decrease the efficiency or performance of the system. Further restrictions can be placed on a wind system based on its height, noise

As mandated by the Nevada statutes, the Nevada Energy Office prepared a state energy reduction plan which required state agencies, departments, and other entities in the Executive Branch to reduce grid-based energy purchases for state-owned buildings by 20% by 2015. The report suggests a series of immediate, short-term and long-term conservation measures to help the affected agencies meet their energy reduction goals. 

Senate Bill 395 of 2009 instructs the Chief of the Purchasing Division of the Department of Administration to establish standards that favor Energy Star products. The bill also puts the State Public Works Board in charge of adopting

Commercial, industrial and institutional customers of NV Energy can take advantage of a wide variety of incentives offered through the program for retrofit and new construction projects. Incentives and rules differ based upon whether equipment is for new construction or existing buildings. Complete details are available on the program website. 

NV Energy offers incentives through the PowerShift program for their residential customers in Northern Nevada to increase the efficiency of their homes. These incentives include a free energy assessment and smart thermostat, as well as various discounts on A/C units.

 

Commercial, industrial and institutional customers of NV Energy can take advantage of a wide variety of incentives offered through the program for retrofit and new construction projects. Incentives and rules differ based upon whether equipment is for new construction or existing buildings. Complete details are available on the program website. 

 

NV Energy is providing an incentive for its residential customers to install solar water heaters on their homes. As of March 2015, NV Energy electric customers in Southern Nevada who own their homes are eligible for a rebate of up to 50% of the installed cost of the system up to $2,250. Additionally, NV Energy's small business, nonprofit, school and other public gas customers in northern Nevada are eligible for incentives based on the number of therms saved by their systems. Incentives are capped at $7,500 for small businesses and $30,000 for nonprofits, schools and other public entities. NV Energy

Note: As of January 2016, programs for pool pump rebates, refrigerator recycling, and LED lighting discounts are unavailable in NV Energy's southern territory. See website for more information.

NV Energy offers rebates for the installation of high efficiency A/C units, air source heat pumps, and home energy management tools for residential customers in southern Nevada. Complete details are located on the program website. 

Customers of NV Energy in Northern Nevada may access in-store rebates on the purchase of certain LED lights at participating stores. See the NV Energy website for more information. 

NV Energy is providing incentives for its customers to install energy storage systems at their homes and facilities.  To be eligible, customers must either have previously installed a renewable energy system or are currently installing one alongside their energy storage system. Standalone energy storage systems are not eligible.

All incentive levels will step down over time as certain budget thresholds are met. See website for current rebate amounts. 

The SolarGenerations Rebate Program was established in 2003 as a result of AB 431 ("the Solar Energy Systems Demonstration Program") and began accepting applications in August 2004. The program was subsequently amended numerous times and rebates are now available for grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) and small wind systems installed on residences, small businesses, large commercial/industrial facilities, public buildings, low-income housing, non-profits and schools; and small hydroelectric systems installed at grid-connected agricultural sites and tribal entities. Participants must be current Nevada customers of NV Energy to participate.

Solar Incentives

Customers may install PV systems sized to meet 100% of their annual energy needs

NV Energy is providing an incentive for its residential customers, small commercial, nonprofit, school and other public customers to install solar water heating, solar space heating, and solar pool heating on their homes and facilities.

Customers interested in participating must first reserve their application before commencing with the installation. NV Energy has a limited number of incentives set aside for each customer class for each year, which will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funding for that class has been exhausted. More information about funding availability is available on the website above.

Nevada's Energy Portfolio Standard requires NV Energy to derive or save a minimum percentage of the electricity it sells from renewable energy resources or energy efficiency measures. Included in the standard is a Portfolio Energy Credit (PC) trading program.
Beginning January 1, 2003, Nevada's renewable energy producers can earn PCs, which can then be sold to utilities that are required to meet Nevada's portfolio standard. One PC represents one kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity generated, with the exception of the multipliers described below.   Each kWh generated by a photovoltaic (PV) system installed on the premises of a retail customer on

Nevada provides a property tax abatement for new non-residential and multifamily residential green buildings, and existing buildings or structures which are renovated for use by a manufacturer to meet certain green building standards.

Property tax abatement for new non-residential and multifamily residential green buildings

Non-residential buildings and multifamily residential buildings that earn certification under the United States Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program may be eligible for a partial abatement of property taxes. As directed by the statutes, the Director of the Office of Energy, through Adopted Regulation R116-07, selected the LEED rating system, but

New or expanded businesses in Nevada may apply to the Director of the State Office of Energy for a sales and use tax abatement for qualifying renewable energy technologies. The purchaser is only required to pay sales and use taxes imposed in Nevada at the rate of 2.6%. The abatement is valid for three years beginning with the approval of the application.

The abatement applies to property used to generate electricity from renewable energy resources including solar, wind, biomass*, fuel cells, geothermal or hydro. Generation facilities must have a capacity of at least 10 megawatts (MW). Facilities that use solar

Renewable energy systems which serve a commercial or industrial building or irrigation system are exempt from property taxes. Qualified equipment includes solar, wind, geothermal, solid waste and hydroelectric systems used to heat or cool a building, heat or cool water used by a building, or generate electricity used by the building. S.B. 426 of 2011 clarified that a system installed on one or more buildings and supplying energy to adjacent buildings or an irrigation system in an agricultural operation is eligible for the exemption.  This exemption applies for all years following installation.

The renewable energy property tax exemption cannot be

Note: The Governor's Office of Energy (GOE) issues periodic Request for Applications to fund renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy conservation projects from the revolving loan funds. A solicitation opened October 21 and is scheduled to close December 31, 2016, but may be extended upon the GOE's discretion. Visit the website or call the GOE at (775) 687-1850 for current information regarding applications and loan availability. 

Assembly Bill 522 of 2009 established a fund for renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy conservation loans with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. According to the statute, all repayments on loans

Nevada law requires that solar energy system installers be licensed by the Nevada State Contractors Board. Contractors may be licensed under License Classification C-37 (solar contracting for solar water heating and space heating and air conditioning). Contractors may also perform solar work under License Classification C-1* (plumbing and heating), sub-classification (d) for solar water heating installations, or sub-classification (f) for solar air heating. Contractors may also perform solar work under License C-2 (electrical contracting), sub-classification (g) for photovoltaics used to generate electricity; or C-21 (Refrigeration and air-conditioning), sub-classification (e) for solar air conditioning. Work on utility scale solar projects must

Southwest Gas Corporation (SWG) offers rebates to commercial customers in Nevada who purchase energy-efficient natural gas equipment. All equipment must meet program requirements stated on the rebate application and on the program website. Rebate forms may be found on the program website listed above. Equipment must be installed and functioning to receive a rebate. Please visit the website listed above for other details or contact SWG.

Southwest Gas Corporation (SWG) offers rebates to residential customers in Nevada who purchase various energy-efficient measures for their homes. All equipment must meet program requirements for efficiency. A rebate form may be found on the program web site listed above.  Please visit web site listed above for other details or contact SWG.

Southwest Gas is offering rebates to Nevada customers for solar water heating systems installed in private residential, small business, public and other properties. Rebates are based on the amount of therms expected to be generated by the system, and the rebate amounts decline based on each "step" of the incentive program reached.

See the website above for more information.

The Board of Directors for Valley Electric Association (VEA) approved a revised net billing program, which took effect in October 2020. The rules apply to systems up to 25 kW, though owners of larger systems may be able to negotiate net billing terms with VEA on a case-by-case basis. 

Any excess energy exported to the grid will generate an "Excess Energy Credit," which is valued at 75% of the retail rate. The accumulated value of Excess Energy Credits will be applied to the customer's bill at the end of the month. In the event the value of Excess Energy Credits

Valley Electric Association (VEA), a nonprofit member owned cooperative, developed the domestic solar water heating program to encourage energy efficiency at the request of the membership. VEA partnered with Great Basin College to train and certify installers, creating jobs in the community, and also with Rheem Manufacturing and a local licensed contractor to install the units. A site visit is performed to determine the best installation and system design for each member. Contact VEA for additional details. This program is currently only offered to those members in VEA’s service territory.