Media Contact: Karl Walquist (775) 834-3891

Nevadans are eager to be green. During the past few weeks they've applied with NV Energy to install over 10,500 kilowatts of solar, wind and hydroelectric energy at their homes and businesses. Public buildings and schools are also eligible for the utility's renewable energy rebate programs.

NV Energy, which serves approximately 2.4 million Nevada residents, received 962 applications statewide for the rebate program. 896 of these were for solar, 86 for wind and 7 for hydroelectric power. Customers were eligible to apply on a first come, first served basis between Sept. 4 and Oct. 8. Of the applications submitted, 726 were from residential customers; 85 from small businesses; 98 from public agencies and 46 from schools. Seven applications were submitted by agricultural customers for micro hydroelectric projects. 

All the applications submitted were approved on Oct. 23 by theNevada Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Task Force, an energy advisory panel created by the Nevada State Legislature in 2001. The panel advises the Nevada State Office of Energy on renewable energy and conservation matters, and is responsible for reviewing applications for the renewable energy rebate program. 

Due to the success ofSolarGenerations,a photovoltaic energy rebate program started five years ago, the Nevada State Legislature directed NV Energy to expand the program to include wind turbines and micro hydroelectric projects. This was the first year that customers could apply for the new wind and hydroelectric rebates.

"We're fortunate in Nevada because of the strong support for renewable energy shown by the State Legislature andPublic Utilities Commission of Nevada,” said John Hargrove, program manager for energy efficiency and conservation at NV Energy."As a result of their efforts, Nevada has one of the nation's most progressive programs to encourage customer-installed renewable energy."

Rebates range from $2.30 to $4.60 per watt for solar installations, while participants in the wind and hydro programs can earn up to $2.50 per watt.

"Up to 3,760 kilowatts of solar will be eligible for the 2009-2010 program year, with 2,400 kilowatts of wind and 200 kilowatts of hydroelectric power eligible for rebates during the current 2008-2009 program year,"Hargrove said."Applicants who aren't selected for the upcoming program year are placed on a waiting list."

Since the SolarGenerations program began in 2003, Nevadans have installed nearly 1.9 megawatts of solar power and received approximately $7 million in rebates. More information about the rebate programs are available at SolarGenerations.com.

Solar– Program Year July 1 2009 – June 30, 2010

Wind and Hydro– Program YearJuly 1, 2008–June 30, 2009

Headquartered in Nevada, Sierra Pacific Resources is a holding company whose principal subsidiaries, Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company, are doing business as NV Energy. Serving a 54,500-square-mile service territory that stretches north to south from Elko to Laughlin, NV Energy provides a wide range of energy services and products to approximately 2.4 million citizens of Nevada as well as approximately 40 million tourists annually.