SolarGenerations Encourages Photovoltaic Technology

Media Contact: Faye Andersen (775) 834-4822

Sierra Pacific Power and Nevada Power Company are accepting applications, starting August 1,  for the fifth year of SolarGenerations, a statewide program that provides cash rebates to electric customers who use photovoltaic (PV) technology to generate electricity.
PV technology consists of photovoltaic panels, usually produced from silicon, which convert sunlight into direct current electricity which is then converted into alternating current by"inverters"so it can power lights and appliances.

Among those eligible to participate are residential customers, small businesses, schools and government agencies connected to either the Sierra Pacific or Nevada Power electric grids, said Project Manager John Hargrove of Sierra Pacific's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Department. 

SolarGenerations was changed from a pilot program to a permanent program by the Nevada State Legislature in 2007, and the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN)  is currently revising regulations governing the operation of the program. Because of this, rebate amounts will be announced at a later date. In past years, customer rebates have ranged from $5 to $3 per watt of electricity.

The PUCN may also revise the maximum program size cap. Currently, residential customers can earn rebates for up to 5 kilowatts of installed PV panels, and small commercial customers, schools and public buildings can earn rebates on a maximum of 30 kilowatts. A kilowatt consists of 1,000 watts.

There are a finite number of SolarGenerations applications available each year and in previous years customers filled those slots within only a few weeks, according to Hargrove. Once the cut-off is reached, interested customers are put on a waiting list and move up closer to the program.

He added that interested customers should call 866-PV-NEVADA (866-786-3823), or visit the program website,www.SolarGenerations.com, to learn more about the program or to download an application. The website also lists licensed Nevada electrical contractors and other consultants who have attended one of more solar training classes sponsored by Sierra Pacific Power and/or Nevada Power Company. 

Approximately 230 SolarGenerations projects, capable of producing up to 1,143 kilowatts of electricity were completed during the first three years of the project and $4,294,560 million in rebates was paid to participants statewide.  Another 648 projects, capable of generating up to 6,700 kilowatts of electricity have been approved for the fourth year of the program, which could amount to rebates totaling $7,480,000 million.