7 Best Solar Companies in Nevada (2024)
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Known for popular tourist destinations such as Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada is slowly making a name for itself for its growing solar market. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Nevada ranks sixth in the United States for solar installations. The state’s current Renewable Energy Portfolio (RPS) outlines its plan to convert 50% of its electricity generation to renewable energy. Although the state offers minimal solar incentives to support this plan, Nevadans still have affordable ways to convert to solar energy.
Our team spent 70 hours researching the top solar installation companies nationwide to find the Silver State’s best options. Learn about the top solar companies in Nevada, available solar incentives, and how to decide on the right company for your home.
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What Are the Available Solar Incentives in Nevada?
We recommend using solar incentives, credits, and rebates to lower your solar panel system costs. Although Nevada solar incentives are limited, they can still help lessen your financial burden.
- Federal solar tax credit: Available to all Nevada residents, you can earn up to a 30% credit for your solar energy system costs. The credit applies to your owed federal taxes, helping to lower your tax liability or wipe it out completely. This credit applies to photovoltaic (PV) panels, solar shingles, or solar roof options. You can also receive credit for a standalone battery. To qualify, you must legally own your solar system.
- Net metering: The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) mandates net metering for all utility companies in the state. You receive energy bill credits for any excess energy returned to the grid. These credits apply toward future energy use and lower your utility bills. Under the current program, customers get back 75% of the retail rate for electricity. These rates vary between utility companies.
- Visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) for a complete list of available incentives.
What Should You Look For in a Solar Company?
When shopping for solar installation companies, you’ll want to compare the following factors to find your area’s best solar contractors.
Most solar panel companies offer various solar services to supplement your solar energy system. For example, some installers offer system monitoring services, allowing you to track your energy production, system health, and overall energy needs. This service helps keep high-quality solar panels in excellent condition for much longer. Some companies offer additional services, such as energy audits that identify areas of excessive energy loss.
You should also note each company’s solar installation process. During our research, we found some full-service solar companies, meaning they handle everything from system design to final installation. Other companies use various contractors for installation, including third-party installers. Generally, the more parties involved, the more likely for communication breakdown. In addition, installation quality often differs between different third-party contractors.
Since solar electric systems’ life span is 25 years or longer, you’ll want warranty coverage to match. Product or manufacturer warranties, which protect against manufacturer defects, vary between 10 and 25 years. With workmanship warranties, solar companies protect against any problems that might occur during installation. They also vary between 10 and 25 years. We recommend finding a solar installer offering 25 years of product and workmanship coverage.
In addition, some solar companies provide power production guarantees. This warranty covers the panels’ long-term power production, ensuring they perform as outlined in your contract. Solar panels lose their efficacy by 0.5% per year, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Higher-quality panels have better efficiency rates, so their production levels aren’t impacted the way cheaper solar panels are. Inexpensive panels have power guarantees for 10–15 years, while high-performing panels have coverage for 25 years or longer. While this isn’t mandatory coverage, it does provide additional peace of mind for your solar investment.
The most advantageous solar financing options are cash payments and solar loans. Both options offer the best return on investment (ROI) and result in a lower solar payback period. A solar payback period represents how long it takes your solar system to pay for itself in energy bill savings. An up-front payment or a loan makes you the system’s legal owner. This ownership is key to qualifying for federal, state, and local solar incentives that help make solar energy solutions more affordable.
Solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs) don’t offer the same financial benefits and do little to contribute to your ROI. In both cases, your solar company retains system ownership, disqualifying you from any incentives. Unless you have no interest in owning a solar system, we recommend choosing an up-front payment or solar loan instead.
When analyzing customer reviews, we noticed that customer support was a major issue for homeowners. Specifically, delayed responses and unreturned phone calls or emails. We recommend looking for companies with several contact options, such as phone, email, and online chat. Be aware that some chat features use a mix of real agents and automated responses. Some companies even have an app with built in support features. Check online reviews for mentions of a company’s customer support team and best contact methods.
How You Should Request a Solar Quote in Nevada
When speaking with solar experts, they recommended requesting free quotes from at least three companies. Review each one carefully to compare solar solutions, warranties, and included costs. Once reviewed, make an appointment with a solar installer for a complete solar quote. Below is an outline of the typical solar quote process.
- Contact the solar installer: Most companies have online forms and phone numbers to initiate the quote process. When reviewing solar companies, we discovered some companies provide online calculators to generate a simplified quote with suggested solar solutions and estimated savings. You must provide your name, address, estimated energy spending, and email address for a representative to contact you. Many companies offer virtual and in-person consultations.
- Review your average energy use: Once connected with a representative, they’ll request your energy usage data. Have your latest utility bill handy for this step, although multiple past bills will provide even more insight.
- Check your roof design and space: Next, the sales rep will review your roof for any obstructions, shading, or complex architecture. This could involve an in-person inspection or virtual review with satellite imagery. They’ll also check your roof’s condition and advise of any integrity issues. If your roof is in poor shape, you must complete any upgrades or repairs before installing solar panels.
- Design your solar project: After deciding on solar panels, batteries, and extras such as electric vehicle (EV) chargers, you’ll receive a finalized quote with full pricing details. When we spoke to professional solar installers, they said your quote should be detailed, with all equipment, add-ons, and labor prices listed. You should also receive warranty coverage information, financing options, estimated savings, and your payback period. Some companies offer assistance with researching and applying for solar incentives.
Which Solar Panel Installation Company Should You Choose in Nevada?
We recommend SunPower as the top solar installer for Nevada homes. The company offers the most efficient solar power systems in the residential solar industry, backed with industry-leading 25-year warranties. Although many customers noted that its systems cost more than other providers, investing in a high-performing system will provide the best energy production and long-term electric bill savings.
We recommend requesting quotes from at least three providers before deciding on a solar installer.
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FAQ About Solar Companies in Nevada
Is it worth it to get solar panels in Nevada?
Yes, solar panels are worth the investment in Nevada thanks to the state’s ambitious clean energy goals and 252 annual sunny days. In addition, Nevada residents benefit from federal and state solar incentives to lower installation costs, making the change to solar energy more economical.
Does Nevada offer a solar tax credit?
Yes, Nevada residents qualify for the federal tax credit, which provides up to 30% back for solar installation costs. Unfortunately, Nevada does not offer a state tax credit.
How long do solar panels last in Las Vegas, NV?
Solar panels in Las Vegas last about 25 years, which is the same for other areas in the United States. Depending on the type of panels, they could last up to 40 years.
Do solar panels increase home value in Nevada?
Yes, solar panels increase home value in Nevada. According to Zillow, houses with solar energy solutions sell for 4.1% more than comparable houses. Like other home improvement projects, an increase in home value means an increase in property taxes. Currently, Nevada does not exempt property tax increases incurred from solar panels. Therefore, you will pay more in taxes for your new solar system.
Our Rating Methodology
We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. This means earning your trust through transparent reviews and data to back up our ratings and recommendations. Our rating system for solar providers is on a 100-point system based on five factors:
- Payment options (40 points): Options include purchase, loan, lease, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Companies receive points for each of the four options they provide.
- Solar services (30 points): Does the company provide in-house installation of solar panels and battery backups? Can the company also monitor energy production and perform energy-efficiency audits to ensure system performance? The more options available, the higher the score.
- Warranty options (10 points): The success of a residential solar system depends on the workmanship, performance guarantees, and length of product coverage. The more warranties a company offers, the higher the score it receives.
- State availability (10 points): We award the most points to companies with the broadest service area and state availability.
- Reputation (10 points): We factor in how the Business Better Bureau (BBB) scores each company. We deduct points for any alerts or pending lawsuits.
Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.