The sunny state of Nevada is a prime candidate for solar installations. Nevada proves this as it has the most solar installations per capita in the United States. However, the majority of solar installations are utility scale projects, and a lot of their power is sold to their neighbor, California. However, the state is on its way to meeting their high Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard of its requirement to get 25% of its electricity from renewables by the year 2025 with 6% of that energy coming from solar. Although Nevada does not have the highest rate of homeowner installations, there are numerous rebates and incentives for homeowners to take advantage of to increase their return on investment. The Nevada Energy Renewable Generations program offers incentives of up to $13,500 for homeowners and $67,500 for small businesses. Net metering allows participants to carry forward their excess energy indefinitely to offset power costs, however they do not offer any cash incentives offered by other states. Property owners can also get property tax abatements to offset their investment in their solar energy system. These abatements include” solar panels, solar hot water, geothermal, wind and hydroelectric.

Residents and business owners can also take advantage of the Nevada Energy Renewable Generations Rebate Program. The program is available for photovoltaics, wind and small hydroelectric energy. For residential solar the program offers $1.35 per watt with a maximum limit of $13,500. While small businesses and public buildings $1.35 per watt with a maximum limit of $310,000 for public facilities, $67,500 for small business and $155,000 for schools. In order to qualify, home and business owners need to fill out an application and wait on approval, provide building permits and system warranties, obtain a voltage verification form, a change order form (if applicable), copies of all invoices and a signed Net Metering Agreement. All systems must be installed by a certified and licensed contractor.

Nevada also offers an impressive tax exemption, the Nevada Renewable Energy System Property Tax Exemption. The exemption is available for passive solar space heat, solar water heat, solar space heat, photovoltaics, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal electric, geothermal heat pumps, and municipal solid waste. The exemption offers 100% exemption for the value of the qualifying system and is available for any property owner, residential, commercial or industrial. The program does not have a maximum limitation on the exemption like many similar programs. The exemption further cannot be claimed if another state tax abatement or exemption has been claimed on the same building.

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