2025 Solar Incentives Guide for Reno, NV - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Reno.
You'll learn about:
- Local & State Solar Incentives
- Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2024 and beyond)
- Ways to optimize your solar investment
Solar installers are experts in maximizing your solar tax credits and rebates.
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Reno?
Southwest Gas Corporation - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Solar Water Heating: $13/therm
Southwest Gas Corporation - Smarter Greener Better Solar Water Heating Program
NV Energy - Clean Energy Incentive Program
Residential/Commercial/Industrial (25 kW or smaller): $0.20 / watt-AC
Low Income/Nonprofit/Public Entity (25 kW or smaller): $0.45 / watt-AC
Residential/Commercial/Industrial (greater than 25 kW): $0.0250 / kWh
Low Income/Nonprofit/Public Entity (greater than 25 kW): $0.0550 / kWh
Wind (As of 9/24/18):
Residential/Commercial/Industrial: $0.40 / watt-AC
Low Income/Nonprofit/Public Entity: $0.80 / watt-AC
Portfolio Energy Credits
NV Energy - Solar Thermal Heating Program
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives are designed to encourage homeowners to switch their home over to renewable energy by offering incentives meant to lower the financial burden of solar panel installation and use. The incentives can include cash back, upfront discounts or monthly credits towards your utility bill. Some incentives are provided by the federal government, some by the Nevada government and some by your specific utility company, county or municipality. Categories of solar incentives include:
- Tax Exemptions: Tax exemptions can come in two forms. First, there is sales tax exemption, which is applied when you purchase solar panels. The second is property tax exemption. This allows you to exclude the value added by your solar system when calculating property tax for your house.
- Net Metering: Net metering is an incentive you can get once your solar system is up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your Reno utility company, it will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your utility bill each month. In some areas, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other areas you might get refunded a percentage of the value.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the federal government. (This is different from a tax deduction.)
- Rebates: A solar rebate is a partial refund given after you've purchased your solar panels. Rebates could be offered by your local utility company, your county or your state. The discount that rebates offer is normally applied to the price of solar panels before tax credits are calculated.
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal solar incentives are likely to be the first thing that you think of when you think about solar incentives. You've likely heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This is a tax credit equal to a certain percentage of the money you spend on solar panels for your home.
The ITC was originally for 30% of the cost of solar system installation, although that number has fluctuated slightly over time between 26-30%. The installation date of your solar system will determine what percentage you qualify for. The total installation cost includes the panels themselves as well as the cost of labor, equipment and accessories. There is no maximum amount you can claim. The ITC can be applied to solar panels installed after January 1, 2006, on your primary or secondary residence. The residence must be in the United States and owned by you.
Your local Reno solar panel installation expert can offer more information about the ITC and how it may apply to your situation.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, expanded and extended the ITC (as well as renaming it to the Clean Energy Credit). Under the new program, solar installation projects started after January 1, 2022, and completed by the end of 2032, may be eligible for a 30% tax credit. This percentage will then decrease slightly each year until the current Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. Beginning in 2023, it will also be easier to qualify for credits for energy storage systems with the new act.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. To better understand how the new Clean Energy Credit might apply to you, reach out to your local Reno solar installation company.
State & Local Solar Incentives
There are often state solar incentives available in addition to federal ones. Tax credits, rebates and more can be offered at a more local level. Certain incentives are ongoing, while others are offered for only a limited time. Your local incentives might come from your county or municipality, or from the Nevada government.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Reno
The expanding number of solar incentives available has contributed greatly to the increase in the nationwide adoption of solar energy over the past 15 years. You can get solar incentives from the Nevada government, the federal government or your local utility company. Your local Reno solar panel installer can help you learn more about which incentives you should apply for, and get you feeling good about making the change to renewable energy today.
EcoWatch's Reno, NV Solar Incentives FAQs
How can I learn if I qualify for specific solar incentives?
It's a smart idea to get in touch with your local Reno solar installer to get an understanding of which incentives your project may qualify for. Usually, solar incentives apply to new solar panel systems installed on a property you own (in the U.S.) between the dates specified by the incentive. Some incentives, such as those provided at the level of the Nevada government, might have other requirements.
If my house already has solar panels, can I still claim incentives?
If your solar system was installed after January 1, 2022, you may qualify for the newly increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. If you had your system installed between 2006 and 2021, you might qualify for a tax credit between 26% and 30%, depending on the year it was installed. Reaching out to the company that installed your system, or any local Reno solar installer, can help you learn what incentives you qualify for.
How much will solar panels save me annually on my electric bill in Reno?
Typically, Reno homeowners who install solar panels save around $1,072.06 per year, or about $20,369.19 over 20 years after they make the switch.
What are the environmental benefits of switching to solar?
You can reduce your carbon footprint by 300 pounds of CO2 annually by installing solar panels. This adds up to roughly 6,000 pounds over 20 years. Solar is also a renewable energy source, meaning that switching your home over reduces the drain on our planet's resources.
If I change out my appliances for ones that utilize solar energy, are there any benefits that I can claim?
The new Inflation Reduction Act creates a number of new financial incentives for making eco-friendly improvements to your home. More details regarding these incentives, including information about incentives for purchasing new appliances, can be found here.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.