Watch Below: Learn Why Nevada Is the Perfect State To Go Solar

How Can You Save Money When Hiring A Solar Company In Nevada

Going solar in Nevada is less expensive than the average state, but that doesn’t mean it’s cheap. Plus, because Nevadans use a bit more energy than average to combat the intense heat, they typically need more solar panels to power their home.

The average Nevada homeowner will need a 10 kilowatt (kW) solar panel system — about 28 solar panels — to completely offset electricity costs. This costs about $25,200, or $17,640 after applying for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC). Comparatively, the national average cost for a 10 kW solar system is $26,600.

Solar systems are often priced per watt of size, so you can save on solar panels if you use less energy than the average Nevadan. On average, solar costs $2.52 in Nevada, which is much cheaper than the national average of $2.66 per watt.

Here are the top ways you can save money going solar in Nevada:

• Take advantage of solar incentives
• Only install as many panels as you need
• Compare solar panel brands
• Shop different solar companies to get the best deals

Take Advantage of Nevada’s Solar Incentives

The huge electricity savings that Nevadans see from going solar are usually enticing enough on their own, but there are even more ways you can save money on solar in Nevada.

Each Nevada resident that installs solar panels is eligible to claim the federal solar tax credit, worth 30% of your total solar energy system cost. In Nevada, that comes out to roughly $7,600.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t a rebate but a reduction on the federal income taxes you owe starting the year your solar panels are installed. You won’t get the full 30% if you don’t owe that $7,600. But the good news is that the credit can be rolled over for five years.

Your solar panels will also save you money by earning energy credits for the energy your panels produce and send to your local utility grid. Below we’ve outlined a few other solar incentives available in Nevada.

Only Install As Many Panels As You Need

The average Nevada household needs to install a 10 kW solar panel system to offset the 959 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity it consumes per month.¹⁰ But these are just averages — it’s not a one-size-fits-all.

Take a look at your utility bill. Do you consume less than 959 kWh of electricity per billing period? If so, you can probably get away with installing a smaller solar power system, therefore saving money on panels.

Compare Solar Panel Brands

Thanks to Nevada’s abundance of sunshine, you don’t have to install the highest-efficiency solar panels to get the most energy production.

Typically, solar panel prices increase alongside efficiency. So in this case, it may be better for your wallet to install mid-tier solar panels as long as they still produce enough energy to meet your household needs.

On the other hand, you may also be able to save by choosing a high-effiency solar panel brand — like the ones from SunPower — because you can install less of these panels and still get the same energy output.

We encourage you to ask about the different solar panel brands available to you, their energy outputs and price tags to ensure you’re getting a good price on your solar installation.

Shop Different Solar Companies to Get the Best Deals

Comparing solar panels is great if you know what you’re looking for, but most solar users aren’t solar experts — and that’s okay!

That’s why it’s so important to find a reputable solar installation company in Nevada — one that knows the climate, the best positioning for maximum sunshine and the local policies and incentives available to solar homeowners.

We recommend getting at least two different quotes from the top solar companies in Nevada we’ve outlined on this page.

See Also: Calculate How Much You Can Save By Going Solar

Will Solar Increase Your Home Value In Nevada?

Yes, adding solar panels can increase your home value in Nevada. Data from Zillow suggests that the average U.S. home jumps around 4.1% in value.¹¹

That means solar panels could increase your home’s value by roughly $18,266 in Nevada where the average home is $445,515.¹²

Of course, the value increase may be even higher if you live in a higher-priced city like Elko, Sparks or Henderson.

Should Nevada Residents Hire a Professional Solar Installer Or DIY?

If you’re looking for a solar panel system to power your entire home, we recommend hiring a professional solar installer in Nevada. Sure, it’s a bit more expensive, but solar installers have state-of-the-art technology to ensure that your panels will be placed at the proper angle and direction to maximize your solar energy generation.

There are many other benefits to hiring a solar company to install your panels, including:

• No risk of injuring yourself or damaging your roof
• Lower risk of home or roof damage (and if it does occur, it should be covered by a warranty)
• Maximum solar output due to optimal placement of panels
• Solar equipment will have proper warranty coverage
• The company will secure any building, electrical and zoning permits necessary to install solar
• The company is knowledgeable on any solar incentives, tax credits and rebates you may be eligible for

If you’re a handy homeowner, you may be considering installing solar panels yourself to save on installation. Labor costs usually make up 10% of the total cost of a solar installation, which comes out to about $2,520 for the average 10 kW solar system in Nevada.

Sure, those savings are decent, but do they outweigh the risks involved? In our opinion, the biggest risk is that most solar panel warranties will only replace faulty equipment if a certified solar technician installed it. In a sense, you’re gambling with a $25,200 solar investment to save $2,520, which isn’t the safest move.

In our opinion, you should only DIY your solar installation if it’s a small solar project needed to power something like a few small appliances or an RV.

What Should Nevada Residents Look For in a Solar Installer?

There are more than three dozen solar installers in Nevada and several more that serve the Silver State, so you certainly have options even beyond our top six. When choosing a solar company in Nevada, you should hire a company that that:

• Has a solid track record in Nevada
• Provides strong warranty coverage
• Offers a variety of solar financing options

A Solid Track Record in Nevada

Some of the companies that made our top national solar companies list didn’t make the cut for Nevada. That could be because they didn’t quite meet the needs of Nevada homeowners, or perhaps their Nevada-based technicians aren’t the best representatives of their brand.

You want to pick a company that has a proven track record of quality service in Nevada. All but one of the installers in this review have at least five years of experience (the exception being Kota Energy Group). Because solar is such a massive business opportunity in Nevada, there are too many “fly-by-night” companies popping up that could serve you today and be gone tomorrow — along with their warranty protection. So it’s important to choose a company that’s stood the test of time.

When you receive a solar installation quote, don’t be afraid to ask your installer for customer testimonials or references near you.

Strong Warranty Coverage

The cost of going solar in Nevada can range between $15,000 to $35,000. That’s a hefty investment, so you want to make sure it’s protected.

A solar electric system should last you at least 25 years, so you shouldn’t accept a solar panel warranty that’s any less than that. But the more robust the warranty, the better.

For example, SunPower and Momentum scored high with EcoWatch because they both offer 25-year product and workmanship warranties. This not only protects your equipment if it malfunctions but can also protect you in the event of a faulty installation or a roof leak caused by solar panels.

We recommend choosing a solar company that has a 25-year product warranty and at least a 10-year workmanship warranty.

Variety of Solar Financing Options

Again, going solar is a huge investment. But some companies take extra steps to make sure it’s accessible to as many homeowners as possible.

While you’ll see the biggest return on investment for paying upfront, the majority of Nevadans don’t have $15,000 to $35,000 on hand to pay for their solar system in cash or credit. Choose a solar company that offers a solar financing program that best suits your needs.

Best National Provider

5/5

National coverageGreat warranty coverageMost efficient panels on the market

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Best Regional Coverage

4.5/5

Great warranty coverageRepresentatives are experts on local policiesConcierge service ensures steady communication

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Methodology: How We Ranked Nevada’s Solar Companies

While solar is rapidly growing in Nevada, there were clear winners when it comes to finding the top six solar companies.

When we rank our top solar companies, we start by identifying the factors that matter most when ensuring that our readers find a trustworthy, reliable and environmentally responsible installation. We’ve listed those factors as categories below. We then weigh these factors against the industry benchmark (a company meeting the industry standard in all categories would earn 4 stars in our rating system).

Our goal is to deliver unbiased reports and honest reviews, thus, our methodology is not affected by commercial partnerships and is specifically tailored to Nevada homes.

• Solar Services (20%): Most people going solar in Nevada are trying to maximize their energy savings by installing solar energy storage systems. We gave more weight to solar installers in Nevada that offer solar battery installations alongside panels, with each company in our top six list offering this service.

• Qualifications, Reputation & Certifications (20%): Solar companies that affiliate themselves with solar organizations are more likely to persist in the industry and have knowledgeable staff that is dedicated to making renewable energy a viable option, rather than just being out for a profit. Companies associated with the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), Solar NV and more are more likely to rank higher.
• Solar Warranty & Customer Support (15%): Most solar companies provide some type of warranty. Solar warranties are often for labor (workmanship), equipment damage or energy production. High-efficiency panels with guaranteed energy production will provide peace of mind that your solar panel system will cover the high energy needs in Nevada.
• Solar Financing Options (15%): Companies that cost more will always be less appealing to customers. However, if the elevated cost is due to high-quality equipment, the company can still rank high because of the value provided. Cheaper isn’t always better, especially when it comes to maximizing energy efficiency to eliminate electric bills through the hot Nevada summer.
• Experience (10%): We carefully consider the year a company is founded. Given the popularity of solar conversions in Nevada, there are many inexperienced companies popping up to take advantage. These installers typically provide poor service and can void your warranty if they go out of business. We usually rank companies with industry longevity higher for this reason.

• Availability (10%): Companies that are able to install solar panels throughout Nevada are ranked higher than ones that only serve a small section of the state.

• Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Factors (10%): While going solar is great for money-saving benefits in Nevada, we prioritize people and the planet alongside your profit. As such, we take each company’s ecological and ethical standards into account when ranking our top providers.

Read More About Going Solar in Nevada

• Is Solar Worth It in Nevada?
• Nevada Solar Incentives Guide
• Find Cost Savings on Solar Panels in Nevada
• What to Know Before Buying Solar Panels in Nevada