Nevadan residents have a fantastic opportunity to save money by harnessing solar energy, a resource that's plentiful in the state thanks to its long summers. Nearly a quarter of the Nevada's electricity production comes from solar power, and few states get more peak sunlight hours than the Silver State. So, if you're planning to go solar, you couldn't have picked a better place to give it a go.
Plus, the price of going solar is less than it used to be. Over the past decade, the price of solar panels has been slashed nearly in half, and the residential clean energy credit offers a 30% return on the expense of installing solar panels after the tax season concludes.
Nevadans can take advantage of a valuable state-level incentive known as net metering, which is designed to promote the use of renewable energy sources. This policy allows homeowners and businesses to generate their own electricity -- typically through solar panels -- and send any excess electricity they produce back to the electrical grid for a credit on future power bills, further reducing the cost of their bills.
Here's what to know before making the decision to get solar panels -- starting with the best solar installation companies operating within Nevada.
Best national solar panel companies in Nevada
There are 54 solar installers operating across Nevada, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. As solar continues to grow in popularity, the number of solar companies will also likely increase.
Based on our research, our experts have compiled a list of solar panel companies that excel in the industry. Be sure to do your own investigation into installers in your area before signing a contract. Here are a few of the best solar installers that operate in Nevada.
Palmetto Solar
Best overall
Solar panels are typically low maintenance equipment, but they're also unfamiliar. If you want to reap the benefits of solar but will have a bit more peace of mind if someone else is making sure it's working, Palmetto might be a good fit for you. Just remember to add the cost of Palmetto's monitoring service in to your payback period calculations.
Elevation
Whole home approach
Elevation's focus on your home's energy efficiency isn't the norm in the industry. If you're planning on addressing energy efficiency first, working with Elevation allows you to keep the whole process with one company. Elevation's solar equipment comes from well-established and well-regarded companies. Elevation's warranties on workmanship and weatherization could be a bit longer.
Freedom Forever
Whole home approach
Include Freedom Forever in your search if you want the backing of a national company that installs a wide variety of the most popular solar equipment available. Freedom Forever also extends a couple of products that take some of the pain and risk out of going solar, like a production guarantee and an escrow option with cash purchases. Online reviews say customer satisfaction has been low of late, though the company says that's changing.
Tesla Solar
Most affordable
Tesla's solar branch seems to be the least loved of Elon Musk's ventures. Even Tesla's Solar Roof seems to get more love.
If price is the thing you won't budge on, consider Tesla. By all accounts, Tesla installs quality panels and makes the closest thing there is to a household name in solar storage: the Powerwall.
Where you might miss out is customer service. Discussion online seems to suggest Tesla's service is a bit of a gamble.
Momentum Solar
All in-house installers
Momentum installs in 11 states without using subcontractors. While using in-house installers doesn't guarantee a better experience, it does suggest you're likely to get a more uniform experience from Momentum. The fact that Momentum backs its installations with a 25-year workmanship warranty hints at a strong belief in its crews' ability. If Momentum is part of your search, consider the warranties against leaks that other companies offer. Momentum's is five years, which isn't the best.
EnergyPal
Most versatile
EnergyPal is more than just a middleman. It'll handle your solar installation from beginning to end while also allowing you to benefit from its proprietary engine and competitive bidding process. The company offers a range of hardware for panels, batteries and inverters, has plentiful financing options and offers responsive customer service support.
Local solar panel companies in Nevada
Although our experts have vetted and reviewed quite a few national solar companies, that doesn't mean you shouldn't look at local installers too. These are some local installers with good reviews online -- it's also worthwhile to chat with any of your neighbors that have solar panels and see what installers they have used.
Sol-Up is a solar installer that has been operating in the Las Vegas area since 2009. While it has a smaller service area than other national installers, Sol-Up offers a strong lineup of solar products, including Panasonic panels, Span Smart Panels and the Tesla Powerall. This installer handles every step of the process in-house, meaning it does not hire third-party contractors for engineering, sales or installation.
Sol-Up offers a 25-year quality-of-work warranty. Product and performance warranties will vary depending on the manufacturer; consumers who choose Sol-Up should check the warranty information for each product.
How to determine which solar company in Nevada is best for me
When you hire a solar installer, you need to be as diligent as you'd be when you're hiring any other type of contractor doing work on your home. You want to have a general understanding of the installation process, know what the contractor is offering and make sure that you're working with a reputable business.
First and foremost, you want to know if your contractor is using in-house employees. Some solar installation companies hire subcontractors for solar panel system installation, and you want to know what that could mean for your installation process.
It's also important to make sure that you're contracting with an installer that offers the price, warranty and host of available products and services that you're happy with. Make sure to check in with your neighbors, the Better Business Bureau and online review sites to make sure a reputable company is working on your home as well.
It's important to make sure you're getting the best possible deal you can. To that end, consult with four to five companies and get bids from them before moving forward with a particular installer.
Cost of solar panels in Nevada
Here's a look at the average cash price for a typical solar panel system before factoring in tax credits incentives, according to data from FindEnergy.com. Your system's overall cost will also depend heavily on whether you get a solar battery.
Average cost of solar panels in Nevada
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| Typical system size (kW) | Price per watt | Total installed cost | Cost after 30% federal tax credit |
| 7 | $3.14 | $21,980 | $15,386 |
| 5 | $3.56 | $17,800 | $12,460 |
Here's the average cash price, cost per watt and solar panel system size per state, according to data from FindEnergy.com. These prices don't make considerations for rebates from tax credits or state incentives. Certain states don't have any FindEnergy solar data and are grayed out on the map.
Nevada solar panel incentives or rebates
Solar panels are a significant investment. Thankfully, solar tax credits and incentives are available in Nevada to make the switch to solar more affordable.
The Residential Clean Energy Credit is a federal solar tax incentive that credits 30% of the total cost of a solar system back to consumers. If you purchase a solar panel system in Nevada, you are eligible for this tax credit. The Residential Clean Energy Credit, formerly known as the Investment Tax Credit or ITC, was increased from 26% to 30% and extended after the Inflation Reduction Act was passed in August 2022. Based on Nevada's median solar panel system cost, you could save as much as $8,194 with the federal tax credit.
You can apply for the Residential Clean Energy Credit by following the IRS-provided instructions and filling out form 5695 (PDF). Once the IRS approves your application, you will receive your 30% savings in credit when you file your federal tax return.
Nevada also offers net metering programs as an incentive for going solar. Net metering allows you to sell excess solar energy back to the grid in exchange for credits on your energy bill. These programs have undergone several updates in the last few years. Currently, consumers who live in the utility company NV Energy's service area will receive a credit valued at 75% of the retail rate of electricity for the solar energy they send to the grid. Consumers living in Valley Electric Association's service area will receive credits equal to 75% of the rate they pay the utility company.
Nevada does not have a property tax or sales tax exemption. If adding solar panels increases the value of your home, your property taxes could increase.
Read more: Want something smaller than a whole-home solar system? See our picks for the best portable solar panels and solar generators.
How solar-friendly is your state?
CNET recently ranked states based on their residential solar policies: the laws and regulations affecting consumer-level solar panel installation and adoption. These policies play a major role in determining how accessible and affordable a solar panel system is to the average resident.
Each state was evaluated through a methodology and scored based on eight categories. The final score was converted to a letter grade.
Here's how your state scored on CNET's solar policy test.
Nevada
Grade: F
Incentives available:
- State-governed net metering at fraction of retail rate
Strongest scoring categories:
Nevada has state-governed net metering at a fraction of the retail rate, which means you're getting a better deal than the wholesale rate offered with many net billing policies. The state also has a community solar mandate, though no substantial programs are built out quite yet.
Categories to improve:
Nevada is missing some easy state solar policies that could bump up its state solar friendliness and make it easier for residents to get solar panel systems. The easiest first steps would be legislating property and sales tax exemptions for solar panel systems and making good on that community solar mandate.
How to pay for solar panels in Nevada
As with any major purchase, you will want to think about how to finance the cost of solar panels. Keep in mind, the money from the tax credit won't be yours until after you've filed your taxes for the year the panels are installed. It's also important to factor in the solar payback period, which is the time it takes to recoup your upfront investment and when savings begins.
Here are some ways to pay for solar panels:
Solar loan: Your solar installer likely has a relationship with a bank or other financial institution to offer a loan designed for solar panels. This can be a great deal, but you'll want to get multiple offers to ensure the rates and terms are the best.
Lease or power purchase agreement: Some solar companies allow you to lease your system or enter a power purchase agreement. If you choose to lease, you won't own the solar system, you'll just pay for use of the equipment. Entering a power purchase agreement means you'll buy solar energy generated from the solar company to power your home. The price you'll pay is usually lower than the retail rate from your local utility company. Note that not all incentives are available with a lease or power purchase agreement.
Personal loan: You can also borrow the money through a personal loan. The main difference between a personal loan and a home equity loan is that a personal loan is typically unsecured. That means your house isn't at risk. The downside is they tend to have shorter terms and higher interest rates than home equity products.
Cash: This approach only works if you happen to have thousands of dollars sitting around in a bank account. If you don't have that yet, but you want solar panels in the future, consider saving money in a high-yield savings account. Interest rates are high right now, and this can help you save faster.
Home equity: You don't have to use a loan from your solar company. Financial institutions offer home equity loans and lines of credit that are commonly used for home improvement projects. These loans can be used for basically any purpose, and they may be a good fit for your solar project. Shop around and make sure you're getting the best deal.
Installation factors to consider
Investing in solar panels is a big financial decision. Considering this investment from every angle before signing a contract is important. Some installation factors to consider are:
- Your home's roof. The shape, size and slope of your home's roof will determine how much power solar panels produce. The Department of Energy states solar panels will be most efficient on roofs sloping between 15 and 40 degrees. Before installing solar panels, you should also consider whether your roof needs repair or replacement. Older roofs may not be able to handle the installation process.
- HOA and neighborhood requirements. Nevada law prohibits HOAs from banning or restricting solar panel systems. Currently, this law states HOAs can't "unreasonably restrict" the efficiency of solar systems by more than 10%. Still, your neighborhood may have specific requirements or processes for solar installation. Be sure to check ahead of time about whether there are any approval steps you need to take.
- Insuring your solar system. After installing a solar system, you should contact your homeowner's insurance agency to update your policy so it covers the solar system. Most homeowners' policies cover solar panels and don't require a separate policy, but check with your agency for specific details.
- Where you live. Solar panels generate electricity in direct and indirect sunlight. However, they'll generate more power when they receive at least four hours of direct sun each day. Solar systems in Nevada should run efficiently as the state normally receives more sunny days each year than the US average. But if your home gets shade coverage throughout the day, a solar panel system will not produce as much power as it would in direct sun.
- Renting your home. If you live in an apartment or rent your home, you will need to ask your landlord or rental management company if you can install solar panels. If the answer is no, community solar programs are an alternative option. These programs let you subscribe to solar power produced by panels at another location (usually near your home) and get a credit on your energy bills. The subscription price is lower than the value of the credit you receive.
How we found the best solar companies
The companies we listed above as "the best" are curated from CNET's best solar companies list. Companies making the best list are scored on the equipment, warranties and customer service they offer. Then, we make sure these recommendations are available in your state. You can read a full breakdown of how we review solar companies here.
Companies listed under the local installers were chosen in a less rigorous way. We chose them because they offered something unique or notable to customers in the state, they seemed well-regarded by internet reviewers or because they were one of the few installers we could find information on in the state.
Whether we've completed a full review on a company or not, it's always a good idea to get multiple quotes from different installers before choosing a company.
Nevada solar power FAQs
How many solar panels would I need in Nevada?
The number of solar panels you will need for your system depends on how much energy you use, the panels you choose, the amount of sunlight you get daily and other factors. On average, a US home would need 15-25 solar panels to fully cover its energy usage.
Is solar worth it in Nevada?
Solar panels can be a great investment in Nevada. The state tends to get a high number of sunny days each year, and the cost of solar panels has decreased in recent years.
How do I choose a Nevada solar installer?
Finding the right solar installer for your home can feel tricky. We recommend you research your options thoroughly, including reading customer reviews and getting multiple quotes from different installers. You can also review CNET's choices for best solar companies.
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