Nevada Residential Incentives
Incentives/Policies for Renewables & Efficiency
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Last DSIRE Review: 07/31/2009
| Incentive Type: |
Property Tax Financing Authorization |
| State: |
Nevada |
| Eligible Efficiency Technologies: |
Yes; specific technologies not identified
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| Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: |
Solar Water Heat,
Solar Space Heat,
Solar Thermal Electric,
Solar Thermal Process Heat,
Photovoltaics,
Wind,
Biomass,
Hydroelectric,
Geothermal Electric,
Geothermal Heat Pumps,
Solar Pool Heating,
Small Hydroelectric
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| Applicable Sectors: |
Commercial,
Industrial,
Residential,
Multi-Family Residential
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| Eligible Local Governments: | Cities, counties, towns |
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Authority 1:
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NRS 271.010 et seq.
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Authority 2:
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SB 358
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| Date Enacted: | 5/28/2009 |
| Date Effective: | 5/28/2009 |
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Summary:
"Property tax financing" allows property owners to borrow money to pay for energy improvements. The amount borrowed is repaid through an increased property tax assessment over a period of years. Nevada has authorized local governments to create and manage "special improvement districts" to provide financing for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. Contact your local government to find out if financing is available for renewable energy and/or energy efficiency through special property tax assessments.
Nevada allows cities and counties to create special financing districts for a variety of projects that "serve a public use and will promote the health, safety, prosperity, security and general welfare of the inhabitants thereof and of the State of Nevada." Legislation enacted in May 2009 (S.B. 358) added renewable energy and energy efficient technologies to the list of projects eligible for special financing districts.
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Last DSIRE Review: 07/20/2009
| Incentive Type: |
Utility Rebate Program |
| State: |
Nevada |
| Eligible Efficiency Technologies: |
Refrigerators/Freezers,
Furnaces,
Boilers
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| Applicable Sectors: |
Residential
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| Incentive Amount: | Recycling an old refrigerator/freezer: $30
Furnaces: $175-$225; depending on efficiency
Boilers: $175
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| Maximum Incentive: | Stand-alone Gas Furnaces: 90 AFUE minimum
Gas Boilers: 85 AFUE minimum |
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Web Site: |
http://www.nvenergy.com/saveenergy/home/rebates/
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Summary:
NV Energy offers rebates for the installation of high efficiency stand-alone gas furnaces and gas boilers for residential customers in northern Nevada. A refrigerator recycling rebate is also offered for eligible older model refrigerators. NV Energy will pick up the refrigerator for free. Stand-alone gas furnaces require a minimum of 90 AFUE and gas boilers require a minimum of 85 AFUE to qualify for a rebate. Other efficiency standards apply; details are located on the program website. A participating, licensed HVAC contractor must install the equipment in order for it to qualify for the rebate. A list of qualified contractors is listed on the program website.
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Last DSIRE Review: 03/30/2009
| Incentive Type: |
State Rebate Program |
| State: |
Nevada |
| Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: |
Photovoltaics,
Wind,
Small Hydroelectric
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| Applicable Sectors: |
Commercial,
Residential,
Nonprofit,
Schools,
Local Government,
State Government,
Agricultural,
Other Public Buildings
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| Incentive Amount: | Solar (2010-2011 program year):
Schools and public and other property, including non-profits and churches: $4.20 per watt AC
Residential and small business property: $2.10 per watt AC
Wind:
Residential, small business, agriculture: $2.50 per watt for the first 10 kW; $1.50 per watt above 10 kW up to the program limit of 30 kW
Schools and Public Buildings: $3.00 per watt for the first 10 kW; $2.00 per watt above 10 kW up to the program limit of 30 kW
Small Hydro:
Grid-connected Agricultural Customers: $2.50/W |
| Maximum Incentive: | Solar (2010-2011 program year):
Public and other property, including non-profits and churches: $126,000
Schools: $210,000
Residential: $10,500
Small business property: $63,000
Wind:
Residential, small business, agriculture: $55,000
Schools and Public Buildings: $70,000
Small Hydro:
Grid-connected Agricultural Customers: $150,000
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| Eligible System Size: | Maximum of 1 MW |
| Equipment Requirements: | Solar:
Systems must be in compliance with all applicable standards; Must carry a minimum 7-year warranty on inverters, 20-year warranty on panels, and 2-year warranty on labor; Modules and inverters must be on the California Energy Commission (CEC) approved equipment list.
Wind:
Systems must be in compliance with all applicable standards; Must carry a minimum 5-year warranty on generators, 7-year warranty on inverters, and 2-year warranty on labor; Generator must be on the California Energy Commission (CEC) approved equipment list.
Hydro:
Systems must be in compliance with all applicable standards; Must carry a minimum 1-year warranty on turbines, 7-year warranty on inverters, and 2-year warranty on labor. |
| Installation Requirements: | Installations must comply with all federal, state, and local codes and meet detailed siting criteria specified in program guidelines. Systems must be grid-connected, net-metered, and installed by a Nevada-licensed electrical contractor (C-2). |
| Ownership of Renewable Energy Credits: | NV Energy |
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Web Site: |
http://www.nvenergy.com/renewablegenerations
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Authority 1:
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NRS § 701B.010 et. seq.
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Authority 2:
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Senate Bill 358
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| Date Enacted: | 5/28/2009 |
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Authority 3:
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LCB File R175-07
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Summary:
Note: In January 2008, the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) issued ruling R175-07, which established rebate levels for the RenewableGenerations program through 2013, and added incentives for small wind and hydroelectric systems. The 2009-2010 application period for solar rebates ended on October 31, 2008. The 2010-2011 application period will commence in early 2010. NV Energy is still accepting applications for the 2009-2010 application period for wind and small hydro systems. Funds are limited and applications will be reviewed in the order they are received.
NV Energy (formerly Sierra Pacific Power and Nevada Power) administers the RenewableGenerations Rebate Program for photovoltaic (PV) systems and small wind and hydroelectric systems on behalf of the Nevada Task Force on Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy. With rebates originally available only for PV, the SolarGenerations Rebate Program was established in 2003 as a result of AB 431 ("the Solar Energy Systems Demonstration Program") and began in August 2004. Rebates are now available for grid-connected PV installations on residences, small businesses,* public buildings, non-profits and schools; small wind systems on residences, small businesses, agricultural sites, schools and public buildings; and small hydroelectric systems installed at grid-connected agricultural sites. Participants must be current customers of the utilities to participate.
SB 358 of 2009 made adjustments to the administration of the RenewableGenerations program. After the utility approves the applicant, the utility will have 30 days to notify them in writing. Further, applicants will have 12 months to complete a project following their initial approval. If projects that have been approved miss the 12-month target date, they can become eligible again after the project is complete, but will receive an incentive at the current rate, rather than the rate when they received initial authorization.
Including three years as a demonstration program, SolarGenerations is now in its sixth program year. In June 2007 the program was made permanent (the planned end date had been June 2010 for a total of six years of demonstration program funding). The total installed capacity supported by RenewableGenerations in each participant category for the July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010 program year has been determined as shown below. For future program years PUCN may approve an increase in these capacity limits of as much as 9 percent per year. Any unused capacity from one program year for one of the eligible sectors may be carried forward to the following program year for that sector.
PV program limits
- Residential and Small Business: 1,000 kW
- Schools: 2,000 kW
- Public/Non-Profit Buildings:> 760 kW
There are no size restrictions for participating PV systems, but rebates will be limited to 5 kW (AC) for residential systems, 30 kW (AC) for small business and public/non-profit buildings, and 50 kW (AC) for schools.
Wind program limit
- Residential, Small Business, and Agriculture: 700 kW
- Schools and Public buildings: 500 kW
For all categories, rebates will not exceed 60% of the installed system’s value up to 10 kW and 30% of the installed system’s value above 10 kW up to the 30 kW program limit. The total rebate will not exceed sixty percent (60%) of the eligible installed system cost.
Small Hydro program limit
- 200 kW. Individual projects are limited to 50 kW, with incentives not to exceed 60% of total installed system cost.
NV Energy takes ownership of the renewable energy credits (RECs) associated with the electricity produced by a customer’s PV, wind or small hydro system. The RECs count towards the utility's' goals under Nevada's renewable portfolio standards (RPS).
* The Nevada Public Utility Commission has defined "small business" as a business with 500 or fewer employees worldwide.
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Last DSIRE Review: 07/20/2009
| Incentive Type: |
Utility Rebate Program |
| State: |
Nevada |
| Eligible Efficiency Technologies: |
Refrigerators/Freezers,
Heat pumps,
Air conditioners,
Pool Pumps
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| Applicable Sectors: |
Residential
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| Incentive Amount: | Recycling an old refrigerator/freezer: $30
Air Conditioners/Air Source Heat Pumps: $70/ton - $225/ton; depending on size and efficiency, up to $1,125
Pool Pumps: $50-$100 |
| Equipment Requirements: | A/C Units: 14 SEER or higher and a minimum EER of 11.
Heat Pumps: minimum HSPF rating of 8
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Web Site: |
http://www.nvenergy.com/saveenergy/home/rebates/
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Summary:
NV Energy offers rebates for the installation of high efficiency A/C units, air source heat pumps, and pool pumps for residential customers in southern Nevada. A refrigerator recycling rebate is also offered for eligible older model refrigerators. NV Energy will pick up the refrigerator for free. The air conditioning rebate is for non-window A/C units and air source heat pumps with a minimum SEER of 14 or higher. Other efficiency standards apply; details are located on the program website. A participating, licensed HVAC contractor must install the equipment in order for it to qualify for the rebate. A list of qualified contractors is listed on the program website.
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Last DSIRE Review: 11/10/2009
| Incentive Type: |
Property Tax Exemption |
| State: |
Nevada |
| Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: |
Passive Solar Space Heat,
Solar Water Heat,
Solar Space Heat,
Photovoltaics,
Wind,
Hydroelectric,
Geothermal Electric,
Geothermal Heat Pumps,
Municipal Solid Waste,
Direct-Use Geothermal
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| Applicable Sectors: |
Commercial,
Industrial,
Residential
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| Amount: | 100% |
| Max. Limit: | None |
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Authority 1:
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NRS § 701A.200
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| Date Enacted: | 1975 |
| Date Effective: | 7/1/1983 |
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Summary:
In Nevada, any value added by a qualified renewable energy system shall be subtracted from the assessed value of any residential, commercial or industrial building for property tax purposes. 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. This exemption applies for all years following installation.
The renewable energy property tax exemption cannot be claimed if another state tax abatement or exemption is claimed by the same building.
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Contact:
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Information Specialist - Dept. of Taxation
NV Department of Taxation
1550 E. College Parkway, Suite 115
Carson City, NV 89706
Phone: (775) 684-2000
Fax: (775) 684-2020
Web Site: http://tax.state.nv.us
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Last DSIRE Review: 12/23/2008
| Incentive Type: |
Net Metering |
| State: |
Nevada |
| Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: |
Solar Thermal Electric,
Photovoltaics,
Wind,
Biomass,
Hydroelectric,
Geothermal Electric,
Small Hydroelectric
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| Applicable Sectors: |
Commercial,
Industrial,
Residential
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| Applicable Utilities: | Investor-owned utilities |
| System Capacity Limit: | 1 MW |
| Aggregate Capacity Limit: | 1% of utility's peak capacity
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| Net Excess Generation: | Credited to customer's next bill at retail rate; carries over indefinitely
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| REC Ownership: | Customer owns RECs (must be relinquished to utility if utility subsidizes system)
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| Meter Aggregation: | Not addressed |
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Web Site: |
http://pucweb1.state.nv.us/
PUCN/RenewableEnergy.aspx
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Authority 1:
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NRS 704.766 et seq.
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| Date Enacted: | 7/1/1997 |
| Expiration Date: | None |
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Authority 2:
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NAC 704.8901 et seq.
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| Date Enacted: | 2004 |
| Date Effective: | 2004 |
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Summary:
Nevada's original net-metering law for renewable-energy systems was enacted in 1997 and amended in 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007. 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 100 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 demand that the class of customer of the customer-generator may place on the utility's system, or (2) 150% of the customer's peak demand. Each investor-owned utility operating in Nevada must offer net metering until the aggregate capacity of all net-metered systems in its service territory equals 1% of the utility’s peak capacity.
For net-metered systems up to 100 kW, utilities must offer the customer-generator a meter capable of registering the flow of electricity in two directions. The utility may not charge these customer-generators any fee that would increase their minimum monthly charges to an amount greater than that of other customers in the same rate class.
For net-metered systems greater than 100 kW, the utility may require a customer-generator to install -- at its own cost -- a meter capable of measuring generation output and customer load. In addition, a utility may require a customer-generator to pay for any upgrades to the utility's system, excluding standby charges, that are required to make the customer's system compatible with the utility's system.
For all net-metered systems, customer net excess generation (NEG) is carried over to the following month as a kilowatt-hour credit, apparently without expiration. (Prior to the enactment of A.B. 178, the treatment of generation, including NEG, for larger systems was less favorable to customer-generators than that of smaller systems.) If the cost of purchasing and installing a net-metered system is paid for in whole or in part by a utility, then the electricity generated by the system will be considered to be generated by the utility or acquired from a renewable-energy system for the purpose of complying with the state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS). On the other hand, if the cost of purchasing and installing the system was paid for entirely by a customer, the PUC will issue to the customer portfolio energy credits (PECs).
If a customer is billed for electricity under a time-of-use schedule, any customer NEG during a given month will be carried forward to the same time-of-use period as the time-of-use period in which it was generated, unless the subsequent billing period lacks a corresponding time-of-use period. If there is no corresponding time-of-use period, then the NEG carried forward must be apportioned evenly among the available time-of-use periods. Excess generation fed to the grid is considered electricity generated or acquired by the utility to comply with Nevada's energy portfolio standard.
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Last DSIRE Review: 11/11/2009
| Incentive Type: |
Contractor Licensing |
| State: |
Nevada |
| Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: |
Solar Water Heat,
Solar Space Heat,
Solar Thermal Electric,
Solar Thermal Process Heat,
Photovoltaics,
Solar Pool Heating
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| Applicable Sectors: |
Installer/Contractor
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Web Site: |
http://www.nscb.state.nv.us
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Authority 1:
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NAC 624.190 and 624.540
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Authority 2:
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NRS §618.910 et seq.
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| Date Enacted: | 6/17/2005 |
| Date Effective: | 1/1/2007 |
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Summary:
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); or perform solar work under License Classification C-1 (plumbing and heating), sub-classification (j) for solar thermal installations; or C-2 (electrical contracting), sub-classification (g) for photovoltaics; or C-21 (Refrigeration and air-conditioning), sub-classification (e) for solar air conditioning.
In June 2005, Assembly Bill 3 amended the Nevada Revised Statutes, Chapter 618, to create a mandatory licensing program for contractors installing and maintaining photovoltaic systems, beginning January 1, 2007. Under these rules, a PV installer must hold a license as a photovoltaic installer, issued by the Department of Business and Industry, Division of Industrial Relations, Occupational Safety and Health.. A PV installer is defined as a person who is directly engaged with the electrical connection and wiring of a photovoltaic system project in a capacity other than as an inspector, management planner, consultant, project designer, contractor or supervisor for the photovoltaic system project.
To apply for a license, a PV installer will need to submit an application to the Division, pass an exam administered or approved by the Division, and pay a fee. If the person is a contractor, they must provide proof to the Division that they have been issued a license of the appropriate classification by the State Contractors’ Board, pursuant to Chapter 624 of Nevada Administrative Code.
Note that a person is not required to obtain a license from the Division to install or maintain a photovoltaic system on their own residence.
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Contact:
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Customer Service Representative
Nevada State Contractors Board - Reno
Licensing Division
9670 Gateway Drive, Suite 100
Reno, NV 89511
Phone: (775) 688-1141
Fax: (775) 688-1271
Web Site: http://www.nscb.state.nv.us
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Customer Service Representative
Nevada State Contractors Board - Henderson
Licensing Division
2310 Corporate Circle, Suite 200
Henderson, NV 89074
Phone: (702) 486-1100
Web Site: http://www.nscb.state.nv.us
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Information Specialist
Department of Business and Industry
Division of Industrial Relations
400 West King Street, Suite 400
Carson City, NV 89703
Phone: (775) 684-7260
Phone 2: (775) 687-6305
Web Site: http://dirweb.state.nv.us/
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Last DSIRE Review: 04/24/2009
| Incentive Type: |
Net Metering |
| State: |
Nevada |
| Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: |
Photovoltaics,
Wind,
Biomass,
Geothermal Electric,
Small Hydroelectric
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| Applicable Sectors: |
Commercial,
Industrial,
Residential,
Agricultural
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| Applicable Utilities: | VEA |
| System Capacity Limit: | 30 kW (larger systems on case-by-case basis)
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| Aggregate Capacity Limit: | 0.5% of annual peak load
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| Net Excess Generation: | Credited to customer's next bill; carries over indefinitely or paid for at avoided cost at end of calendar year (at utility's discretion)
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| REC Ownership: | Customer owns RECs
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| Meter Aggregation: | Not addressed |
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Web Site: |
http://www.vea.coop/renewable/net-metering.php
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Authority 1:
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Net Metering Policy
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| Date Effective: | 4/18/09 |
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Summary:
The Board of Directors for Valley Electric Association (VEA) approved net metering in April 2009. The rules apply to systems up to 30 kW, though owners of larger systems may be able to negotiate net metering terms with VEA on a case-by-case basis. Net metering will be available to eligible customer generators until the aggregate capacity of all net metered systems reaches 0.5% of VEA's annual peak load.
If the customer-generator's meter is incapable of measuring the flow of electricity both into and out of the customer's facility, or if the meter does not meet the utility's standards, VEA will install and maintain an approved meter at the utility's expense. The customer retains ownership of all renewable energy credits associated with their system.
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Contact:
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Net Metering Program
Valley Electric Association
800 E. Hwy 372
Pahrump, NV 89048
Phone: (775) 727-5312
Phone 2: (800) 742-3330
Fax: (775) 727-6320
E-Mail: wac@vea.coop
Web Site: http://www.vea.coop
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