Media Contact:  Faye I. Andersen
(775) 834-4822

Sierra Pacific Power and Nevada Power are accepting applications for the third year of a statewide program that rewards electric customers for using photovoltaic (PV) technology to turn sunlight into energy.

Customers who participate in the SolarGenerations program, that rewards those who install the PV panels, are eligible for a rebate of $3 per watt of electricity produced.

The utilities are accepting applications for Program Year Three of the SolarGenerations program for a total of 760 KW of Residential and Small Business installations, according to John Hargrove, SolarGenerations Program Manager.  Schools and government agencies are eligible to participate.

“The easiest way to learn about the program is to go to our website,www.SolarGenerations.com,” Hargrove said. Ã¢â‚¬Å“You'll find information about the program and contractors qualified to install photovoltaic equipment.”  In Program Year Three customers can sign up online at thewww.SolarGenerations.comwebsite or they can download the application and mail of fax it in.  Anyone who is interested can also call toll free, (866) PV-NEVADA (1-866-786-3823)

Hargrove said in accordance with the law, all complete Program Year Three applications will be forwarded to the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) for review and approval in early 2006.  Applications must be approved by the PUCN in order for applicants to qualify for the rebate.

SolarGenerations was created by Assembly Bill 431â€" the Solar Energy Systems Demonstration Program â€" passed by the Nevada State Legislature in 2003.  The legislation authorized funding for rebates to Nevadans who install PV systems on their homes or businesses.  It was modified and extended in the 2005 Legislative session.

Nearly 250 solar projects, capable of producing nearly 2.7 Megawatts of electricity are currently under construction throughout Nevada under terms of the Year Two program.  There are over seven million dollars in rebates allocated to be paid to Year Two participants.

Hargrove said over a dozen different contractors are completing the Year Two installations.

“The SolarGenerations demonstrations program allows us to achieve greater use of the state's abundant sunshine while reducing Nevada's reliance on fossil fuels,” says Bob Balzar, Director of Energy Efficiency and Customer Strategy.

Headquartered in Nevada, Sierra Pacific Resources is a holding company whose principal subsidiaries are Nevada Power Company, the electric utility for most of southern Nevada, and Sierra Pacific Power Company, the electric utility for most of northern Nevada and the Lake Tahoe area of California.  Sierra Pacific Power Company also distributes natural gas in the Reno-Sparks area of northern Nevada.  Other subsidiaries include the Tuscarora Gas Pipeline Company, which owns 50 percent interest in an interstate natural gas transmission partnership and several unregulated energy services companies.