More Resources including...
Below is a list of frequently asked questions about the RenewableGenerations incentive program. NV Energy recommends you carefully investigate and learn about renewable energy systems before submitting an application. Knowing how much a system may cost, where it will go, what permits will be necessary, and what it will look like are some of the questions you will want to answer prior to applying for the RenewableGenerations incentive program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RenewableGenerations Incentive program?
How is the incentive paid?
Where does the money for the incentives come from?
When will I receive the incentive check?
What happens if I already have a renewable energy system? Is it eligible for an incentive?
I am off the grid. Am I eligible for an incentive if I put a renewable energy system in?
Am I allowed to put a renewable energy generating system on my property?
Will I need a permit from my city or county to install a renewable energy system?
How much does a renewable energy system cost?
What type of renewable energy system is best for my house?
What size renewable energy system do I need?
Where can I find information on renewable energy systems?
Why is undertaking energy efficiency measure important before I install a renewable energy system?
Who should install my renewable energy system?
How do I choose a contractor?
When should I apply for the RenewableGenerations incentive program?
How do I apply for the RenewableGenerations incentive program?
What is a Program Year?
Where can I get the equipment information needed on the application?
How do I know my application is approved?
Why is there a waiting list?
How does net metering work?
Does NV Energy pay me for the excess energy I produce?
Does NV Energy change my meter?
Why do I need two meters with our renewable energy system?
Will a renewable energy system provide electricity for my home during a power outage?
What documents do I have to submit to get my incentive check?
What happens if I make changes in installation parameters after the application is filed?
What happens if the contractor says the system is OK, but the utility doesn’t approve it?
What do I do if I have problems with my contractor?
Do customers relinquish the Portfolio Energy Credits (PEC’s) (formerly called REC’s) when they receive an incentive in the RenewableGenerations program?
Q. ) What is the RenewableGenerations Incentive program?
A. ) RenewableGenerations is an incentive program from NV Energy that helps customers offset the installation costs of renewable energy systems. Customers can receive a one-time cash payment after approval and installation of a photovoltaic, small wind or micro-hydro generating system on their home, small business, agriculture property, public building or school.
Q. ) How is the incentive paid?
A. ) If you qualify for the program through the application procedure and you complete all program rules, you will be eligible for a one-time cash payment after your installation is complete.
Q. ) Where does the money for the incentives come from?
A. ) RenewableGenerations is a public benefit program funded by ratepayers of NV Energy. All NV Energy customers should see a small charge on their monthly bill labeled Renewable Energy Program (REPR). This small fee pays for the RenewableGenerations program.
Q. ) When will I receive the incentive check?
A. ) NV Energy will send the incentive check upon final completion of the project, a successful final inspection, and submittal of all required paperwork. Paperwork includes a “satisfied” or “signed-off” building permit, a Voltage Verification form, a Change Order form (if applicable), a copy of invoices from the contractor and a signed Net Metering Agreement.
Q. ) What happens if I already have a renewable energy system? Is it eligible for an incentive?
A. ) No. A customer must submit an application before constructing the system.
Q. ) I am off the grid. Am I eligible for an incentive if I put a renewable energy system in?
A. ) No, only grid connected NV Energy customers are eligible for the program.
Q. ) Am I allowed to put a renewable energy generating system on my property?
A. ) Nevada law prohibits any governing body from adopting laws that prohibit or unreasonably restrict owners from installing solar or wind generating systems.
Q. ) Will I need a permit from my city or county to install a renewable energy system?
A. ) Yes. Your local jurisdiction probably requires you to have a building permit for your system. Your electrical contractor will probably help you obtaining this permit.
Q. ) How much does a renewable energy system cost?
A. ) NV Energy does not sell or install the systems. You need to consult with a contractor, distributor, or manufacturer to purchase a renewable energy system. We recommend that you research information using our resources and links page and then speak with several contractors to determine what kind and what size system is appropriate for your property.
Q. ) What type of renewable energy system is best for my house?
A. ) This depends on many factors. Some areas of Nevada have steady wind speeds while others don’t. Nearly all of Nevada has excellent sun exposure, however some properties are shaded by trees or other objects. You should talk to renewable energy contractor or consultant to help you decide what kind of system would be best for your property.
Q. ) What size renewable energy system do I need?
A. ) This depends on several factors. First, you’ll need to decide how much of your electrical bill you want to offset. Second, you need to know what size system will fit where you intend to install the system. Third, you’ll need to match a system size with what you can afford. Lastly, there may be local guidelines that will dictate what size system you will be able to install on your property.
Q. ) Where can I find information on renewable energy systems?
A. ) NV Energy’s website has excellent links to information on solar, wind, and micro-hydro energy.
Q. ) Why is undertaking energy efficiency measure important before I install a renewable energy system?
A. ) NV Energy recommends that before you consider installing a renewable energy system you first consider increasing the energy efficiency of your property. By undertaking low cost improvements, such as replacing incandescent with fluorescent lighting, you can significantly lower your electric bill. The low cost improvements and lower electric bill are likely to save you even more money by needing a smaller, less expensive renewable energy system that will produce what you want for your property. By reducing your usage through energy efficiency and conservation, you immediately increase the percentage of power that you generate. For example, if your bill is $100 per month and you produce $20 worth of electricity with your renewable energy system, you are generating 20% of the electricity you use. If you reduce your bill to $60 a month, then you are meeting 33% of your own power needs.
Q. ) Who should install my renewable energy system?
A. ) To participate in the incentive program, your installation must be completed by a licensed Nevada electrical contractor with a C-2 license.
Q. ) How do I choose a contractor?
A. ) NV Energy recommends that you consult with several contractors just as you would when making any major home repairs or improvements. You will find renewable energy consultants and contractors listed in the phone book yellow pages and on the internet. NV Energy’s website also provides a list of contractors and consultants that provide renewable energy services.
Q. ) When should I apply for the RenewableGenerations incentive program?
A. ) The commitment to install a renewable energy system can be considerable financially and logistically. NV Energy recommends you carefully investigate and learn about a renewable energy system before submitting an application. Knowing how much a system may cost, where it will go, what permits will be necessary, and what it will look like are some of the questions a renewable energy contractor or consultant can help answer so that you can make a careful decision to submit an application.
Q. ) How do I apply for the RenewableGenerations incentive program?
A. ) You must submit an application. NV Energy will accept applications for the SolarGenerations, WindGenerations and HydroGenerations programs until the program year is fully subscribed. Applications for the open RenewableGenerations incentive programs can be found on the NV Energy website.
Q. ) What is a Program Year?
A. ) According to the Nevada Statute that created our programs, each program year runs from July 1 to June 30. So, Program Year 2009/10 runs from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010. We take applications before the program year begins to let customers make plans ahead of the program year. Applicants who are selected to participate in the program and follow all program rules will be eligible to receive their incentive check immediately after completion of their project even if this falls before the start of the program year.
Q. ) Where can I get the equipment information needed on the application?
A. ) NV Energy recommends talking with a renewable energy contractor or consultant before submitting an application. These professionals will help you determine what equipment would be best for your situation.
Q. ) How do I know my application is approved?
A. ) NV Energy will send you a letter indicating whether your application has been approved or disapproved. If you are approved you will be either instructed to proceed with construction and a kilowatt reservation will be made for your project or you will be informed that you have been placed on the waiting list.
Q. ) Why is there a waiting list?
A. ) The incentive programs were created by the Nevada Legislature which set the number of kilowatts for each category, each program, and each program year. NV Energy can only offer incentives for the kilowatts established by law. If an applicant applies after these limits have been reached, the application is placed on the waiting list.
Q. ) What happens if I am on the waiting list?
A. ) If an applicant who has been selected to participate in the program withdraws, NV Energy will notify the next applicant on the waiting list that they may proceed with construction and a kilowatt reservation will be made for you project.
Q. ) How does net metering work?
A. ) Net metering measures the amount of electricity you send to the electrical grid and the amount you use from the grid. You will first use the electricity you produce from your renewable energy system at your own property. If you produce more than you need, the excess electricity is sent to the grid where it remains as kilowatt hour (kWh) credits on your bill. You will automatically use the credits first at any time before regular kWh from the grid. You will receive a net metering bill each month with detailed information and your usage.
Q. ) Does NV Energy pay me for the excess energy I produce?
A. ) No. By law, NV Energy may not pay you cash for the excess energy you produce. NV Energy however does keep track of any excess energy you produce and gives you a kWh credit for each kWh of excess energy you produce. The kWh credits carry over from one year to the next but may not be transferred to another account. Because of the current laws, it is best to design your system so you are not continually over-generating electricity.
Q. ) Does NV Energy change my meter?
A. ) Yes. NV Energy will install two new meters which record the amount of energy generated by the renewable energy system and the amount of energy coming and going from the electric grid. The meter that records the output of the renewable energy system is called the generation meter and the bi-directional meter that measures the amount of energy coming and going from the grid is called the revenue meter.
Q. ) Why do I need two meters with our renewable energy system?
A. ) One meter, called the generation meter, measures electricity production from your system. The other meter, called the revenue meter, measures your consumption from the grid and how much, if any, you send to the grid.
Q. ) Will a renewable energy system provide electricity for my home during a power outage?
A. ) Unless you have a special battery backup system, your grid connected system is programmed to shut down in the case of a power failure to protect the repair crews from energy produced by your system. Battery backup system require different and often, more expensive equipment.
Q. ) What documents do I have to submit to get my incentive check?
A. ) First you must submit an application with detailed information on your project and electrical contractor. If you are a small business, public building, or school applicant, you will have to submit a one-line diagram for approval before beginning construction. After your project is completed, you must submit a Voltage Verification Form, a Change Order Form (if you have made any changes from your original application), a signed Net Metering Agreement, the building permit, and invoices from all your contractors.
Q. ) What happens if I make changes in installation parameters after the application is filed?
A. ) This is not a problem. You must submit an Application Change Form signed by you and your contractor with the new information.
Q. ) What happens if the contractor says the system is OK, but the utility doesn’t approve it?
A. ) The utility has the final say on approvals. If the utility does not approve the system, you must work with your contractor to correct the problem.
Q. ) What do I do if I have problems with my contractor?
A. ) If you have problems with your contractor, it is best to contact the Nevada State Contractors Board. Their website is www.nvcontractorsboard.com. Their phone numbers are 775-688-1141 and 702-486-1100.
Q. ) Do customers relinquish the Portfolio Energy Credits (PEC’s) (formerly called REC’s) when they receive an incentive in the RenewableGenerations program?
A. ) Yes, by participating in the program, customers must agree to assign the PEC’s their system produces to NV Energy.