Nevada is one of the sunniest states in the country, with clear skies and powerful sunshine that is perfect for solar power generation. Of course, when deciding whether to invest in solar on your home or commercial property, there are a few other factors to consider. Your relationship with the local power utility is one of them.
Local opportunities like a net metering buy-back program, peak hours and other solar incentive programs can influence your decision and the overall profitability of a solar installation. The good news is that Nevada is a welcoming place for solar based both on the weather and NV Energy solar policies.
Is NV Energy Solar Worth It?
In short, yes! NV Energy is part of what makes Nevada one of the top 10 states for solar. While the state had some rocky policies in the past, all that has been resolved with great incentives, including:
- Net metering
- Time-of-Use Plans (Peak Hours)
- Energy Storage Rebate
- Interconnection Incentive
Does NV Energy Offer Net-Metering?
Yes, NV Energy has a pretty good net metering program. Net metering is when you sell solar-generated energy back to the power company. A net metering plan makes it possible to sell excess energy during the best solar generating hours, and still draw energy when your solar is not powering the property or does not fully meet your power need (ex: at night and on cloudy days). Then you get a discount on your bill based on how much energy you need versus how much you sell back. Net Metering is available throughout Nevada, in both the northern and southern sectors.
Time of Use Plans
NV Energy offers two standard energy plans, a flat-rate plan where energy is the same price at all times (and net metering credits are worth slightly less than the flat rate) and the time-of-use plan.
Properties running solar benefit from the time-of-use plan which increases the value of energy during peak usage hours which are often also peak solar generation hours, so you get the most for your buy-back. Then off-peak hours, typically at night, power is valued less so your evening lights and cooking have a lower cost.
NV Energy Solar Interconnection Process
You can connect your solar to NV Energy net metering through the NV Energy Solar Interconnection process. NV Energy offers an incentive if you have your solar installed by a licensed contractor, reducing the price of getting your solar started up. The process for solar interconnection includes:
- You fill out an application in PowerClerk Interconnect
- NV Energy reviews applications and sets up the two-way meter
- You can start net-metering with a solar energy plan
Energy Storage Rebates
NV Energy offers rebates for solar battery systems that help you store energy during peak generation hours and distribute that solar energy to your home or property to offset your energy usage during time-of-use peak hours or when solar power is not being generated. This can significantly offset the cost of your solar battery storage installation.
Start Your NV Energy Solar Journey With Solar Optimum
If you are ready to install solar on your Nevada property, Solar Optimum is here to help. From useful information to licensed solar installation, we’ll help you get your solar energy system connected for net metering with NV Energy and help you claim any available incentives. Contact us to learn more about the benefits of going solar in Nevada or download Solar Optimum’s Ultimate Guide to Going Solar.
