Media Contacts:
Karl Walquist, NV Energy, 775-834-3891 orkwalquist@nvenergy.com
Terri Hendry, City of Reno, 775-326-6309 orhendryt@cityofreno.com

The City's new 50-kilowatt photovoltaic power system was completed in December. The system is generating enough electricity to reduce the community's annual energy bill by approximately $12,000 – up to $240,000 over the next 20 years.  The project is in alignment with the Reno City Council's"green"priority. 

In addition, the city will receive a $247,730 incentive payment from NV Energy's SolarGenerations program, which offers incentives for the utility's northern Nevada customers to install solar power. The company offers similar incentives for customers who install wind turbines and micro hydroelectric generating plants. 

The incentive payment will be presented to the Reno City Council during its regular meeting tomorrow (Jan. 28) at Reno City Hall, 1 East First St. Presenting the check on behalf the utility will be Jeff Ceccarelli, corporate senior vice president for service delivery and operations, and External Affairs Vice President Mary Simmons. The check presentation is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.

Since 2003, the SolarGenerations program has paid approximately $7 million in incentives to Nevada electric customers who have installed nearly 1.9 megawatts of solar power. Current rebates range from $2.30 to $4.60 per watt for photovoltaic solar panels to $2.50 per watt for wind turbine and micro hydroelectric projects. The program was created by the Nevada State Legislature.