2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Sparks, NV - Tax Credits & Rebates

In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Sparks.

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.
Get a free quote from one of our trusted Sparks solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated April 21, 2024

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Sparks?

Southwest Gas Corporation - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Water Heating: $225
Solar Water Heating: $13/therm

Southwest Gas Corporation - Smarter Greener Better Solar Water Heating Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Varies based on program "step" - see program website.

NV Energy - Clean Energy Incentive Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Solar (As of 9/24/18):
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

Incentive Type:
Performance-Based Incentive
Varies; higher value for solar PECs than other technologies

NV Energy - Solar Thermal Heating Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Northern Nevada electric customers: $3,000/project up to 50% of system cost

Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

Incentive Type:
Personal Tax Credit
30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/


Solar incentives are designed to make renewable energy usage more affordable through financial incentives for individuals who install solar panels on their homes. These incentives may include cash back, upfront discounts or credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are given by the federal government, some by the state of Nevada and some by your utility company, county or municipality. Types of solar incentives might include:

  • Rebates: A rebate is a partial refund credited to your account after you've paid for your solar panels. These may be offered by your local utility company, your county or your state. The rebates are usually applied before calculating tax credits.
  • Net Metering: Net metering factors in once your solar system is up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your Sparks utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your monthly utility bill. In some locations, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in others you may receive a refund equivalent to a percentage of the value.
  • Tax Credits: Unlike tax deductions, tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the federal government.
  • Tax Exemptions: Your solar panels may qualify for exemptions on both sales and property tax. Sales tax exemptions are applied at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions let you exclude the value added by your solar panels when calculating property taxes on your home.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0
  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best Regional Coverage

Momentum Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Federal Solar Incentives

When you think about solar incentives, you likely think of federal incentives first. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is likely the most well-known federal solar incentive. The ITC provides you with a tax credit for a predetermined percentage of the cost of your solar system.

The ITC was originally for 30% of the cost of solar panel installation, although it has fluctuated slightly over the years between 26-30%. The installation date of your solar system will determine what percentage you qualify for. The cost of installation includes the panels themselves as well as the cost of equipment, accessories and labor. 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 Sparks solar panel installer can provide you with more information about the ITC and how it may apply to your situation.

The ITC was renewed and increased in scope after the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. The new Clean Energy Credit now runs until 2035. American homeowners are now eligible for a 30% credit for solar systems that began installation on or after January 1, 2022, and will be done by December 31, 2032. The total credit will then be decreased by a few percentage points every year until it expires. Starting in 2023, the expansion to the program will also make claiming credit for energy storage systems easier than ever before.

Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. Your local Sparks solar panel installer can answer any questions you have and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you.

State & Local Solar Incentives

There are often also state solar incentives in addition to those provided by the federal government. Rebates, tax credits and more might be available at a more local level. Incentives may be offered by your county or municipality, or by the state of Nevada. Some incentives might only be available for a limited time, while others are ongoing.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Sparks

You can apply for and receive solar incentives from the federal government and the Nevada government, as well as from your local utility company. The growing availability of solar initiatives in the past 15 years has helped increase nationwide solar energy use enormously. We suggest talking to your local Sparks solar installer to learn more about these incentives and to be sure that you're getting the most money possible for your solar panels.

EcoWatch's Sparks, NV Solar Incentives FAQs

How can I find out if I qualify for certain solar incentives?

Typically, solar incentives apply to:

  1. a new solar panel system
  2. installed on a property that you own
  3. within the U.S.
  4. within the date range specified by a particular incentive.

Specific incentives, including those given out by the Nevada government or by your county/municipality, sometimes have additional qualifications. Get in touch with your local Sparks solar installer to discover what incentives your project will qualify for.

If I already have 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 may qualify for a tax credit between 26% and 30%, depending on the year it was installed. Speaking with a representative from the company that installed your solar system, or any local Sparks solar installer, can help you understand what incentives you qualify for.

How much can I save annually on my electric bill if I install solar panels on my Sparks home?

After adding solar panels to your Sparks home, you can expect to save around $958.67 per year, or about $18,214.76 over 20 years.

Who installs solar panels near me?

To discover the top solar panel installation companies near you, read our article on Sparks' top solar panel companies.

What are the environmental benefits of switching to solar?

Solar energy is renewable — by changing where you get your energy, you help reduce the strain on our planet's resources. Solar panels can also lower your home's CO2 emissions by 300 pounds annually, or roughly 6,000 pounds in 20 years.

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.

Solar incentive research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.

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