Summary of Nevada solar incentives 2021
Nevadans considering solar energy can take heart that voters elected governor Steve Sisolak. He succeeded in enacting the 50% renewable portfolio standard, which put needed pressure on utility companies to get more solar energy on the grid, like the juice that can come from your rooftop.
With that improvement and the recent reinstatement of a strong net metering program, home solar in Nevada is back in business! You can purchase a solar system here with cash or a loan, and see a great return on your investment over 25 years.
Read on to find out how to make solar work for you in Nevada! We also recommend using our home solar calculator above, it’ll allow you to customize a system to the size of your rooftop and track your savings.
On this page, you can:
-
Learn what solar incentives are available to Nevada homeowners
-
See what Nevada solar incentives you qualify for based on your utility company and city
-
Find out how much these incentives and/or Nevada solar tax credits will reduce your cost to go solar and add batteries
Federal solar investment tax credit
The federal solar investment tax credit will have the biggest impact on the cost you will face to go solar in Nevada
This perk is commonly known as the ITC, short for “Investment Tax Credit”. If you install your photovoltaic system in 2020, the federal tax credit is 26% of the cost of your solar panel system. This is 26% off the entire cost of the system including equipment, labor and permitting.
Example: If your solar energy system costs $20,000, your federal solar tax credit would be $20,000 x 26% = $5,200.
The federal tax credit falls to 22% at the end of 2022.
Net energy metering in Nevada
With net metering in some states, you get full retail rate credit for the amount of electricity you send back into the grid with your solar panels.
Net metering allows you to get credited at near retail rates by your utility company for the amount of solar energy you produce but aren’t able to use onsite.
As of 2020, any kilowatt hour (kWh) of solar electricity you send back to the grid which you aren’t able to use will be credited at 75% of retail rates, currently about 7 cents/kWh.
At the end of your 20-year contract, you'll be able to sign up for whatever program NV Energy offers (though by then, home energy storage will likely be so inexpensive that it will be easier to install a battery and use all the energy yourself).
The fight to ensure strong net metering rules for Nevada has been long and complex. Basically, the state used to have excellent net metering rules, but in late 2015, the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) voted to amend net metering, allowing NV Energy to increase monthly service charges by 300% on solar homeowners while at the same time paying 82% less for the energy their panels generate.
The people of Nevada, joined by solar-loving groups from around the country, fought against the PUC ruling, and vowed to vote to remove any politician who stood in the way of net metering's return.
In November, 2016, voters elected solar-friendly candidates to both the house and senate. Governor Sandoval (himself up for reelection in 2018) said he wanted to work together to bring back sensible solar policy. Finally, in mid-2017, the Nevada legislature passed AB 405, restoring net metering for all residential customers.
Nevada solar rebates
While Nevada does not have a dedicated state rebate for solar panel installation, some manufacturers like LG offer their own solar rebates. These programs are usually time sensitive. For example, LG offers a $600 solar rebate on their equipment, which your installer can help you redeem over the next year.
Nevada energy storage incentive
NV Energy offers two different home battery storage incentive rates, based on your enrollment in a rate structure which changes based on the time of day you use electricity (aka time-of-use, TOU)
- TOU customers get $0.19 per watt-hour of storage
- Non-TOU customers get $0.095 per watt-hour of storage
For example: If you’re on a TOU plan and purchase one Tesla Powerwall, you’ll receive $2,565. If you’re not on a TOU plan, you can get a $1,283 incentive on that same Powerwall.
Those dollar amounts represent about 20% or 10% of the total installed costs of the batteries, respectively.
We recommend signing up for the bigger incentive with the TOU rate plan and program your battery to discharge when rates are high and draw energy from the grid at cheaper rates.
Learn more: Time of use rates and solar energy and battery storage
Cost of solar panels in your part of Nevada after all applicable solar incentives
Solar prices near you
Payback period
7.4-9.1 years
Net profit (savings less system cost)
$20,492-$25,046
Average size system installed in NV in 2021
8.7kW
Solar panel cost calculator
Best 10 solar companies in Nevada
45 solar companies in Nevada provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.
4.82 107 Reviews
Latest review
Solar with Sol-up, over 1 month
Sol-up made our solar experience easy. They were always available to answer questions, always followed up with NVEnergy and had the system running in no time. A special shout out to Zack Helms for his follow through. Most appreciated. Thanks Zack
Read more
Latest review
Solar with Sol-up, over 1 month
Sol-up made our solar experience easy. They were always available to answer questions, always followed up with NVEnergy and had the system running in no time. A special shout out to Zack Helms for his follow through. Most appreciated. Thanks Zack
4.82 72 Reviews
Latest review
Julie Jarboe, 2 days ago
We worked with Taylor Blackmore and he made the process so easy. It was effortless for us to get set up, Dave money on our energy costs and help the environment in the process. We couldn’t be happier. The system runs perfectly . Not regrets at all except we should have gone solar a long time ago. Five stars!!
Read more
Latest review
Julie Jarboe, 2 days ago
We worked with Taylor Blackmore and he made the process so easy. It was effortless for us to get set up, Dave money on our energy costs and help the environment in the process. We couldn’t be happier. The system runs perfectly . Not regrets at all except we should have gone solar a long time ago. Five stars!!
4.77 42 Reviews
Latest review
Barron, 2 days ago
The positive reviews we read on Great Basin Solar is what led us to choosing them for our system. From our initial email inquiry to completion, Travis and his team were prompt in responding to our phone and email inquiries. The virtual quote review session proved to be better than an in-person quote. Great Basin reviewed in detail, a step-by-step process of what's involved; description of the system, the cost, HOA approval, NV Energy conversion, down payment expected, an overhead picture of the proposed solar array, and what we should see from system smart phone app. We were further assured the installation and servicing will be done by their in-house technicians and not parsed out to contractors. Great Basin was proactive in keeping us informed through emails and phone calls, a welcome change from consumers always having to initiate follow up calls. The installation was clean and professionally done. Give Great Basin Solar a call. Based on our experience, you will be very pleased with their service.
Read more
Latest review
Barron, 2 days ago
The positive reviews we read on Great Basin Solar is what led us to choosing them for our system. From our initial email inquiry to completion, Travis and his team were prompt in responding to our phone and email inquiries. The virtual quote review session proved to be better than an in-person quote. Great Basin reviewed in detail, a step-by-step process of what's involved; description of the system, the cost, HOA approval, NV Energy conversion, down payment expected, an overhead picture of the proposed solar array, and what we should see from system smart phone app. We were further assured the installation and servicing will be done by their in-house technicians and not parsed out to contractors. Great Basin was proactive in keeping us informed through emails and phone calls, a welcome change from consumers always having to initiate follow up calls. The installation was clean and professionally done. Give Great Basin Solar a call. Based on our experience, you will be very pleased with their service.
4.70 22 Reviews
Latest review
Bob Reagan, over 1 month
I chose Robco because they are a local company using their own employees, not contractors for their installation crews. I also felt they offered a superior product that was worth a few extra dollars in cost for the project.
Read more
Latest review
Bob Reagan, over 1 month
I chose Robco because they are a local company using their own employees, not contractors for their installation crews. I also felt they offered a superior product that was worth a few extra dollars in cost for the project.
4.67 30 Reviews
Latest review
Ofer Salter, over 1 month
I've been in the solar business for 11 years and know allot of people in the industry....I've chosen John with AAA certified to install solar on my home because he's the real deal...allot of companies has the license to install solar...it dosen't mean they know what they're doing...John and AAA Certified really understand solar...and can be considered an expert...including getting through the permitting process and net metering applications...which is an expertise on it's own...no one dose it better and faster than AAA...they got a phenomenal office staff that really stays on your project and makes sure no time is wasted
Read more
Latest review
Ofer Salter, over 1 month
I've been in the solar business for 11 years and know allot of people in the industry....I've chosen John with AAA certified to install solar on my home because he's the real deal...allot of companies has the license to install solar...it dosen't mean they know what they're doing...John and AAA Certified really understand solar...and can be considered an expert...including getting through the permitting process and net metering applications...which is an expertise on it's own...no one dose it better and faster than AAA...they got a phenomenal office staff that really stays on your project and makes sure no time is wasted
4.63 1,338 Reviews
Latest review
MIKE, 4 hours ago
The salesman was very nice and informative. The installation team were very quick and professional. They were very respectful of my house inside and out.
Read more
Latest review
MIKE, 4 hours ago
The salesman was very nice and informative. The installation team were very quick and professional. They were very respectful of my house inside and out.
4.58 13 Reviews
Latest review
Campbell, over 1 month
These guys are great. Everyone we worked with from sales to installation was great. The equipment they installed was top notch. They provide information that answers every question all through the process. They installed just what we needed to get the best solar value from our electric provider. We investigated many companies before going with Hedgehog, and we still feel we chose the best. Funny name but great service. I recommend them to anyone looking to do solar.
Read more
Latest review
Campbell, over 1 month
These guys are great. Everyone we worked with from sales to installation was great. The equipment they installed was top notch. They provide information that answers every question all through the process. They installed just what we needed to get the best solar value from our electric provider. We investigated many companies before going with Hedgehog, and we still feel we chose the best. Funny name but great service. I recommend them to anyone looking to do solar.
4.58 177 Reviews
Latest review
Randall, over 1 month
I evaluated dozens of solar companies online, and narrowed it down to three for proposals. IWS was the most thorough and transparent of the companies I worked with. They reviewed the property, electrical, and sent pics to engineering before providing a quote which gave me confidence that the quote would be accurate. The install team was friendly and professional and did an excellent job on cleanup. I had my roofer inspect the mounts and he was impressed to the point he recommended them to another one of his customers. The calculations provided in the quoting process appear to be spot on. My installation has been running for about 2 months now.
Read more
Latest review
Randall, over 1 month
I evaluated dozens of solar companies online, and narrowed it down to three for proposals. IWS was the most thorough and transparent of the companies I worked with. They reviewed the property, electrical, and sent pics to engineering before providing a quote which gave me confidence that the quote would be accurate. The install team was friendly and professional and did an excellent job on cleanup. I had my roofer inspect the mounts and he was impressed to the point he recommended them to another one of his customers. The calculations provided in the quoting process appear to be spot on. My installation has been running for about 2 months now.
4.43 40 Reviews
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
Excellent, I've done 3-projects with IPC.
Read more
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
Excellent, I've done 3-projects with IPC.
4.38 511 Reviews
Latest review
Jon, 1 day ago
Great company to work with. Very communicative throughout the process, even when issues/delays came up with the permitting, etc. (all things outside of their control). I'm very happy with my new solar array.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$19,000 ($3.80 per watt)
Latest review
Jon, 1 day ago
Great company to work with. Very communicative throughout the process, even when issues/delays came up with the permitting, etc. (all things outside of their control). I'm very happy with my new solar array.
Solar guides for your Nevada city
For more information about going solar near where you live, check out the following resources:
Useful links
Related solar news
Catherine Lane
May 5, 2021
Going solar with NV Energy: Net metering, interconnection, and rebates
Everything you need to know about going solar with NV Energy, including their net metering program, solar battery rebate, and more.
Ben Zientara
January 26, 2021
The state of net metering in the United States in 2021
This annual report ranks the states for friendliness to home solar based on their net metering programs.
Ben Zientara
January 21, 2019
What is a solar carve-out?
A solar-carve out sets a specific goal for electricity generation from solar panels in a state’s energy mix. It often includes incentives for installing solar.
Zeeshan Hyder
October 4, 2018
Home solar panels in Las Vegas: Everything you need to know
See cost, savings and payback from installing solar on your home in Las Vegas.
Catherine Lane
July 28, 2021
What is a Sun Number score and how is it calculated?
The Sun Number score represents how suitable a home is for solar on a scale from 1 to 100, but how much does it actually matter?