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City Rooftop Solar Plan: Helps Buyers But What About Customers Who Lease?

Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Stepping into the rooftop solar battle, Las Vegas officials will introduce legislation to let those who buy solar systems obtain a long-term loan from the city.

The move comes after the state Public Utilities Commission a few weeks ago announced higher monthly payments and decreased credit for electricity produced by homeowners with solar panels.

Many of those homeowners have argued the only reason they bought or leased systems is because of the amount of credit, through net-metering, they could receive from the state's regulated monopoly, NV Energy.

At a press conference in City Hall Tuesday, Councilman Steve Ross, Ward 6, said he will introduce a program to allow people to obtain loans from the city that would be paid off annually on property tax bills. 

Ross describes the idea as being similar to a special improvement district. 

"We are interested in creating an energy improvement district for the entire city, which will allow businesses and residents to take part in this opportunity to put solar on their roofs," Ross said.

That's for people who purchase rooftop solar. As for people who leased solar panels, Ross said it would depend on the relationship with the leasing company.

Most of the solar companies in Nevada -- SolarCity and Sunrun, for instance -- are installing leased rooftop solar systems. 

“This is the right thing to do and the right time to do it,” Ross said. 

He said the city is trying to make the up front costs of putting in solar a little less painful. 

 

Steve Ross, Las Vegas Councilman, Ward 6

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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.