Nevada is one of the sunniest states in the country, with Las Vegas having just four fewer days of sunshine than Phoenix, on average.
Nevada also has had laws since 1997 that allow homes with solar panels to transfer excess power to the grid, lowering their power bills. That was almost 30 years ago.
However, the cost of rooftop solar remains out of reach for many, and development of Nevada’s modified community solar program continues to lag.
A new group is looking to change that.
Solar United Neighbors is a non-profit that started in Washington, D.C. in 2007. Since then, the group says it has helped more than 11,000 homeowners install solar panels on their houses. They recently set up shop in Nevada.
Julia Hubbard is the group’s program director for Nevada. She said the program works much like a co-op.
“It's kind of like buying in bulk at Costco,” said Hubbard. “You are owning your own system, so you're not paying into a number of systems, you would go solar and just receive a lower cost on that because you're going solar with a group of other people, so you're just getting the best deal.”
SUN also keeps an eye on pro-solar and clean energy legislation in Nevada and other states. At the same time, the Trump Administration is rescinding millions in federal grants that would have gone to support clean energy.
Hubbard said those policies are concerning, but consumers still can take advantage of policies aimed at increasing home solar development.
“These policies are still available right now, and we are doing everything that we can to advocate for them,” Hubbard said. “They are delivering really meaningful savings. They are boosting our economy. They are supporting really good-paying jobs in our state, and we want to make it loud and clear that these policies represent a better future for us.”
Currently, Solar United Neighbors is working in 14 states and territories.
Guest: Julia Hubbard, Nevada program director, Solar United Neighbors
