Summary of Nevada solar incentives 2020
Nevadans considering solar energy can take heart that voters elected governor Steve Sisolak. He succeeded in enacting the 50% renewable portfolio standard. This 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:
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Learn what solar incentives are available to Nevada homeowners
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See what Nevada solar incentives you qualify for based on your utility company and city
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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% in 2021. Unless new legislation is introduced in Washington D.C., this program will be gone in 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 2020
8.7kW
Solar panel cost calculator
Best 10 solar companies in Nevada
24 solar companies in Nevada provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.
4.80 90 Reviews
Latest review
DavidZ, 3 days ago
After receiving a few estimates I decided to go with Sol-Up and am very happy I did. The price was competitive compared to the other companies. From start to finish the company did everything they promised in the proposal. The installation crew arrived on time and completed the work in a day. They were very professional and didn’t leave any mess or trash at all. The ladies in the office kept me informed along the way and were always there to answer any questions I had. The product and especially the customer service of this company is impeccable. I highly recommend this company and am extremely satisfied I chose Sol-up.
Read more
Latest review
DavidZ, 3 days ago
After receiving a few estimates I decided to go with Sol-Up and am very happy I did. The price was competitive compared to the other companies. From start to finish the company did everything they promised in the proposal. The installation crew arrived on time and completed the work in a day. They were very professional and didn’t leave any mess or trash at all. The ladies in the office kept me informed along the way and were always there to answer any questions I had. The product and especially the customer service of this company is impeccable. I highly recommend this company and am extremely satisfied I chose Sol-up.
4.77 34 Reviews
Latest review
level, over 1 month
Great Basin Solar was very professional, kept me informed, was accurate in timing and had a very good installation crew.
Read more
Latest review
level, over 1 month
Great Basin Solar was very professional, kept me informed, was accurate in timing and had a very good installation crew.
4.74 43 Reviews
Latest review
Meagan , 3 days ago
I had no plans of getting solar installed, but when Ben told me about it and showed me what I could be paying without solar (in a few years), I was sold. He was professional, prompt, and very patient.
Read more
Latest review
Meagan , 3 days ago
I had no plans of getting solar installed, but when Ben told me about it and showed me what I could be paying without solar (in a few years), I was sold. He was professional, prompt, and very patient.
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
4.61 16 Reviews
Latest review
Robco Electric, 2 weeks ago
After seeing other positive reviews we decided to give Robco Electric a call about our solar install. I had preconceived ideas about what was needed, but our point of contact Krystal, educated me on every detail and step necessary to have a system that was appropriate for our home. I thought the more panels you have the better, but she explained why that was not a good idea. Installation was scheduled quickly and install was completed in one day. They handled all the paperwork for permits and HOA. We would use Robco electric again and we highly recommend Robco Electric for your solar installation.
Read more
Latest review
Robco Electric, 2 weeks ago
After seeing other positive reviews we decided to give Robco Electric a call about our solar install. I had preconceived ideas about what was needed, but our point of contact Krystal, educated me on every detail and step necessary to have a system that was appropriate for our home. I thought the more panels you have the better, but she explained why that was not a good idea. Installation was scheduled quickly and install was completed in one day. They handled all the paperwork for permits and HOA. We would use Robco electric again and we highly recommend Robco Electric for your solar installation.
4.54 176 Reviews
Latest review
EdwardM, over 1 month
Decided in about Sep of 2019 to finally order a solar PV intertied system. Incredibly, they were able to complete the proposal, design and engineering work, permits and install before the end of the year, all in about 3 months time. If you've ever done re-modeling work with permits, you can appreciate that this is a very timely install! This involves multiple parties, city permit department (about a month just for the city), and the power utility company. From their sales rep, to the project manager, to the install crew - IWS was easy to reach throughout the process, to answer any questions. The install crew and electrician were great too. We had to wait until the first week of January to turn on the system but that was because the local power company had to update the software in our power meter and they had a delay due to the Christmas and New Year's holiday. Once that was done, we just flipped a switch and the solar PV was in operation. Our system is producing almost exactly the amount of power it was designed to do, and what we expected. Because we are very economical with our power usage, we are net positive to the power company for now. But that means we have the right amount to also recharge a future EV car. Our home is in Redmond, Oregon - and was installed by the crew out of Boise.
Read more
Latest review
EdwardM, over 1 month
Decided in about Sep of 2019 to finally order a solar PV intertied system. Incredibly, they were able to complete the proposal, design and engineering work, permits and install before the end of the year, all in about 3 months time. If you've ever done re-modeling work with permits, you can appreciate that this is a very timely install! This involves multiple parties, city permit department (about a month just for the city), and the power utility company. From their sales rep, to the project manager, to the install crew - IWS was easy to reach throughout the process, to answer any questions. The install crew and electrician were great too. We had to wait until the first week of January to turn on the system but that was because the local power company had to update the software in our power meter and they had a delay due to the Christmas and New Year's holiday. Once that was done, we just flipped a switch and the solar PV was in operation. Our system is producing almost exactly the amount of power it was designed to do, and what we expected. Because we are very economical with our power usage, we are net positive to the power company for now. But that means we have the right amount to also recharge a future EV car. Our home is in Redmond, Oregon - and was installed by the crew out of Boise.
4.46 9 Reviews
Latest review
Philip1, over 1 month
From a household that had 4 jobs, we went down to ZERO. I can honestly say if it wasn't for the care that Lucas and Carissa gave us, we would have never gone solar. And now that we did go solar, we're great ful because having no power bill reduced stress and the tax credit we got literally floated us for a few months. I had to write the review, thank you guys again! Phil
Read more
Latest review
Philip1, over 1 month
From a household that had 4 jobs, we went down to ZERO. I can honestly say if it wasn't for the care that Lucas and Carissa gave us, we would have never gone solar. And now that we did go solar, we're great ful because having no power bill reduced stress and the tax credit we got literally floated us for a few months. I had to write the review, thank you guys again! Phil
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.
4.35 116 Reviews
Latest review
Jay Basireddy, over 1 month
I've signed up with John Medina, who is from elevation Solar! He is a fantastic and proactive guy. He provided me with phenomenal customer service, gave a reasonable negotiable price, and found the perfect design for my home. He was extremely knowledgeable in providing technical details and models of solar panels. He is understanding and would look for, no worse than, the best for his customers. Thank you John, for helping me make one of the most important decisons for my house feel like a piece of cake.
Read more
Latest review
Jay Basireddy, over 1 month
I've signed up with John Medina, who is from elevation Solar! He is a fantastic and proactive guy. He provided me with phenomenal customer service, gave a reasonable negotiable price, and found the perfect design for my home. He was extremely knowledgeable in providing technical details and models of solar panels. He is understanding and would look for, no worse than, the best for his customers. Thank you John, for helping me make one of the most important decisons for my house feel like a piece of cake.
4.32 6 Reviews
Latest review
Jon F, over 1 month
Recommended by neighbors. And was interested in lower my utility bill
Read more
Latest review
Jon F, over 1 month
Recommended by neighbors. And was interested in lower my utility bill
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For more information about going solar near where you live, check out the following resources:
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