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Did The State PUC Just Kill Rooftop Solar In NV?

GREEN MPS / FLICKR

A months-long fight between the solar industry and NV Energy, which provides most of the electricity in Nevada, came to an end Tuesday.

The fight centers around the desire to increase the amount of net-metering customers that NV Energy is required to take on. NV Energy said net metering, which allows home-based solar generators to sell their electricity back to NV Energy, is unfair and will result in higher prices for non-solar customers.

Meanwhile, the rooftop-solar companies say that just as they are starting to grow and halting net-metering will kill their industry.

The home-based solar industry in Nevada is taking off, with an estimated 6,000 solar-related jobs in the state.

Based on Las Vegas' climate, it is well-suited for the industry. 

According to 47 years of data, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says Las Vegas is the third-sunniest city in the United States, behind Yuma, Ariz., and Redding, Calif.

On Tuesday, the Nevada Public Utilities made a decision that will decrease amount that rooftop-solar energy producers can get from NV Energy per kilowatt hour.

Those in the solar industry says that decision will devastate the home-based solar industry in Nevada.

Lyndon Rive, Chief Executive Officer, Solar City

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Joe Schoenmann joined Nevada Public Radio in 2014. He works with a talented team of producers at State of Nevada who explore the casino industry, sports, politics, public health and everything in between.