Nevada Solar Incentives (Rebates, Tax Credits & More in 2024)
By Dan Simms /
Here’s a quick look at the estimated cost of solar in Nevada:
*Average system size is calculated using data from the Energy Information Administration. This price is after tax credit.
**Payback period is calculated assuming the system is purchased in cash.
According to market research and data from top solar brands, installing solar energy projects in Nevada is cheaper than the average solar panel installation cost in America. The average cost of solar panels in Nevada is $3.04 per watt, which is 29 cents cheaper than the national average of $3.33 per watt. That may not seem like much, but when you’re paying for a multi-kilowatt system, every cent makes a difference. Especially in Nevada where energy needs are high and you’ll need a larger solar system in order to offset the majority of your electricity use.
The average size for a solar system in Nevada is 10 kilowatts (kW), which will cost you about $30,400 or $21,280 after applying the federal solar tax credit (also called the Solar Investment Tax Credit or ITC).
With Nevada’s ample sunshine, the little risk for severe weather and lower cost of solar panels, it’s no surprise that Nevada is one of the top states leading the way for solar energy. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Nevada currently ranks 6th in the nation for solar installations.
While the majority of the state has relatively low energy consumption, populous areas like Clark County — home to Las Vegas — consume a ton of electricity, which has a lot of Nevada residents realizing it’s well worth going solar in the Silver State.1 For what it’s worth, it’s also rich in other clean energy sources, like the Hoover Dam and wind farms.2
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Because the cost of solar panels is per-watt, the size of your solar system will play the greatest role in affecting the cost of your solar panel installation in Nevada. Based on market research and internal data, we’ve estimated that the average solar panel installation in Nevada will cost you between $21,280 and $39,520 before applying any tax incentives or solar rebates.
The table below shows the average prices for the different solar panel system sizes in Nevada before and after the federal tax credit:
Size of Solar Panel System | Nevada Solar Panel Cost | Cost After Federal Tax Credit |
7 kW | $21,280 | $14,896 |
8 kW | $24,320 | $17,024 |
9 kW | $27,360 | $19,152 |
10 kW | $30,400 | $21,280 |
11 kW | $33,440 | $23,408 |
12 kW | $36,480 | $25,536 |
13 kW | $39,520 | $27,664 |
Looking for the best solar companies in Nevada? We’ve vetted all of the solar installers serving the Silver State to find the most reputable and affordable companies. Click the button below to learn more or fill out the form on this page to start receiving solar quotes from these companies.
See also: Find out how much solar power your roof can produce with our solar calculator
The solar financing, equipment and installation company you choose will all affect the final cost of your solar panels. Nevada also offers solar rebates and incentives that can significantly lower your costs.
Nevada is rich in solar energy, receiving an abundance of direct sunlight throughout all seasons. More sunlight means that your panels will produce more energy, so you may not need as large of a system as someone in a state with less sun.
However, you still have to consider your overall energy usage when choosing what solar equipment is best for you. If you are ramping up your air conditioning throughout the hot summer months, your energy use may still warrant a high-efficiency or larger solar panel system.
It’s also important to consider how many panels your roof has space for. If you have a small roof, you may have to shell out for top-quality panels that maximize your available space.
Nevada residents are eligible for cost-reducing solar incentives like the federal solar tax credit, statewide net metering and the Renewable Generations Rebate Program.
However, as more homeowners install solar in Nevada, the state is offering fewer incentives and phasing out some programs. This creates the need for more solar financing options.
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs are a viable way to obtain long-term, low-interest loans to fund renewable energy projects. Although Nevada does not have a statewide PACE program, you can check your local government’s website to see if your community is involved in PACE projects.
You can also check with your bank, credit union or solar installer to find out if they offer solar financing loans.
Nevada’s thriving solar market means that there are plenty of solar panel installers operating in the state. Each company comes with its unique qualifications, equipment offerings and warranties, and therefore can vary tremendously in price.
However, with so many companies competing for your business, you can usually find a pretty good deal if you shop around. Here are a few of our favorite installers in Nevada:
You’ll want to be aware of these additional considerations and costs before you decide to install solar:
Watch Below: Learn Why Nevada Is the Perfect State To Go Solar
Nevada is a great state for solar energy because the cost of solar is low and sunshine is abundant. For that reason, the state doesn’t offer a ton of solar incentives or rebate programs. However, the state is trying to incentivize residents to add solar energy storage to their home solar systems.
We’ve outlined all of the Nevada solar incentives available to homeowners in the chart below.
Nevada Incentives | Incentive Impact Explained |
Nevada Net Metering Programs | Nevada has a great net metering system, but it’s tiered and set to decrease over time.3 The state is currently in Tier 4, which means utility companies will give customers energy credits for 75% of the retail electricity rate for the excess power they provide to the electric grid.4 |
Nevada Energy Storage Incentive Program | NV Energy is offering incentives for solar customers who are interested in installing solar batteries. Customers on a time-of-use (TOU) rate can receive $0.19 per watt-hour, while other customers receive $0.095 per watt-hour.5 The incentive payment is capped at $3,000 for TOU customers is capped at $3,000 and for non TOU it’s capped at $1,500 or 50% of the equipment cost (whichever is less).6 |
Renewable Energy Systems Property Tax Exemption | All commercial and industrial-scale renewable energy systems in Nevada, including solar, are exempt from property taxes.7 This exemption does not apply to residential installations. |
Federal Solar Tax Credit | The Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) allows solar adopters to claim 30% of their total solar equipment and installation costs as a tax credit on their next federal filing. The 30% credit is in effect for any solar project purchased through 2032 before it starts to phase out. |
As discussed earlier, the brand of solar panel you choose will change the cost, whether you’re installing a DIY solar system or having one of the top solar companies handle the job. Below are our picks of the best solar panels on the market.
Solar Panel Brand | Average Cost Per Watt ($-$$$$$) |
LG Solar | $$$ |
Canadian Solar | $$ |
JA Solar | $$ |
Mission Solar | $$ |
Panasonic | $$ |
Q Cells | $$ |
REC | $$$ |
Silfab | $$$ |
SunPower | $$$$$ |
Tesla | $$ |
Trina Solar | $$$ |
Are you ready to know how much solar panels would cost for your Nevada home? Select one of our preferred providers below to get a free, no-obligation quote based on your home’s energy needs.
Read More About Going Solar
The cost information presented in this article is derived from a comprehensive analysis, incorporating data from multiple industry sources. The average cost per watt per state was calculated based on figures from Consumer Affairs, Energy Sage, and Berkeley Lab’s Electricity Markets & Policy Department. Additionally, monthly energy consumption and the average monthly cost of electricity were sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, ensuring a well-rounded and accurate representation of the information presented.
At EcoWatch, we’re happy to get questions about the process and costs of getting rooftop solar from Nevada residents. Below are some of the questions we see most often, along with our responses. If you have specific questions that aren’t answered here, reach out to our team of solar experts at solar@ecowatch.com.
The average cost of solar panels in Nevada is $3.04 per watt, which would mean a typical 10-kilowatt solar system would cost about $30,400 in Nevada. This figure includes equipment and installation costs and would likely drop closer to $21,280 after claiming the 30% federal solar tax credit.
Yes, adding solar panels will increase the value of your Nevada home. Data from Zillow shows that homes with solar panels tend to sell for 4.1% more than homes without solar.10 However, you can only capitalize on your boosted property value if you own your solar system, and not if you have a solar lease.
It’s always better to buy your solar panels in Nevada, or any other state for that matter. If you don’t own your solar panel system, you can’t cash in on any solar financial incentives, like the solar tax credit, boosted real estate value, or any local rebates. If you cannot afford to cover the full cost, put as much down as you can and explore solar financing options.
Yes, solar panels can eliminate your power bills in Nevada. If your solar system generates more energy than what you need to power your home, you’ll not only reduce your energy bill, but you’ll receive credits from your utility company because of the statewide net metering program. Then you can use those credits to lower or eliminate your power bills during times when your solar panels aren’t as efficient.
Cost tends to be the most common factor for homeowners when it comes to buying a solar power system, but there are more crucial considerations to take into account. You should also consider the efficiency of the solar panels you choose, which will lead to more power production and ultimately more energy savings.
If you live in an area prone to power outages, you may want to take advantage of Nevada Energy’s Storage incentive program for solar batteries (outlined in the Nevada Solar Incentives portion above). Paying a high upfront cost is worth it if you produce more savings in the long run.
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