Nevada Solar – Everything You Need to Know
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Information about Solar Panels in Nevada
Nevada solar has had a rocky road over the last few years, due to serious net metering changes and ensuing controversies, resulting in the solar industry going dormant and big solar installers leaving the state.
That’s not the whole story though – there’s a glimmer of sunshine through the clouds. With the state beginning the process of reintroducing net metering in June 2017, the solar industry is poised to explode once again.
If you want to jump on the bandwagon, but don’t know where to start, read on for info on the current status of net metering in Nevada as well as other info on relevant policies, incentives, and savings estimates.
Tribal Lands Adopting Solar Energy in Innovative Ways
In the last 10 years, hundreds of tribal groups across the US have adopted renewable energy like solar and wind as a way to serve their community needs better.
The type and size of the solar installation depends on the needs and goals of each community. Each group has adopted it in unique ways, from large utility-scale projects where the tribe leases land to a developer, to small solar-plus-storage systems designed to provide electricity to rural homes that are too distant to connect to the electric grid.
Reasons and goals vary among tribes. Some desire greater independence from the utility, while others want to set a higher standard of living for local residents through greater financial independence. Others want to bring electricity to rural households. But one goal is shared: to adopt an energy source that offers clean, renewable electricity.Continue reading
Include Batteries with Your PV to get a 30% ITC for Storage
With the increased interest in battery storage, as a companion to a PV installation, the IRS, in October put out a request for comments on ways to improve the battery storage 30% ITC.
The IRS will issue a final ruling at the end of 2016 on the specific conditions under which batteries are eligible for the 30% ITC
Nevada PUC Deals Death Blow to Rooftop Solar
In a textbook example of job-killing regulations, Nevada ‘s Public Utility Commission (PUC) has dealt a death-blow to solar homeowners
Just before Christmas, the three-member PUC, whose members are appointed by Republican Governor Brian Sandoval, made drastic cuts in the NEM rates payable by NVEnergy to solar homeowners for excess generation from solar rooftops.
Las Vegas to go 100% Renewable
A huge change is underway in Las Vegas, which currently gets its electricity from Nevada’s 18% renewable grid.
The City of Las Vegas has filed a request with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) of Nevada to get power from part of a 100-MW solar farm that SunPower is developing in Boulder City for the state utility NV Energy.
Who’s the Real Enemy When It Comes to Solar?
Plenty of people know that solar power is a great alternative to traditional energy sources.
It’s contributing to job growth and increases homeowner values. Plus, Americans want solar power! But despite this, utilities, advocates, lawmakers, and solar energy companies go round and round blaming each other, while the person who just wants to install rooftop solar suffers (see Hawaii as a prime example).
Who’s actually the enemy when it comes to solar?
Significant Solar Job Growth in Conservative States
The solar industry is booming, with over 173,000 solar jobs in the U.S. And more states than ever are leading the way, with unexpected states like Georgia trumping solar production over more solar traditional states. However, the most surprising news may be that solar is taking off in politically conservative states that a decade ago may have never been seen as energy efficient leaders.Continue reading