Turning Sin City into a solar city

The state of solar in Las Vegas

The Entertainment Capital of the World is a powerful advocate for solar energy production. The city’s government relies 100% on renewable energy sources. Las Vegas, NV, also has a strong stance on clean, sustainable energy and strongly encourages residents to embrace solar energy.

Going solar makes sense in Las Vegas. The area has an annual average of 294 sunny days, far exceeding the national average of 205.^*Bestplaces.net, Climate in Las Vegas, Nevada (accessed 8/29/2021) With so much sun, about 96% of the buildings in Las Vegas are solar-viable.^*Google, Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018) A city graced with so much sunshine is perfect for solar energy generation.

Instead of offering solar incentives to private residential consumers, Nevada focuses on large-scale business and community projects. The state offers a Renewable Energy Tax Abatement program through the Governor's Office of Energy (GOE) for businesses that create renewable energy facilities. That office also awards partial sales tax, use tax, and property-tax abatements to these companies.

Another program for business owners and community organizations is the Lower Income Solar Energy Program (LISEP),. LISEP provides incentives for businesses that offer solar PV systems serving people with limited resources, such as those in low-income housing and homeless shelters.

How much solar energy does Las Vegas produce?

According to the Shining Cities 2020 report, Las Vegas ranked seventh among U.S. cities for solar installations per capita, with 164.1 watts of electricity per person. The city has over 3,100 existing installations capable of generating 2,100 megawatts (MW) of electricity (a megawatt is one million watts).^*Google, Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018)

In June 2021, MGM Resorts announced the most recent large solar installation, the MGM Resorts Mega Solar Array—a 640-acre array with over 300,000 solar panels.^*Forbes, MGM Resorts Doubles Down on Las Vegas Solar Power (June 19, 2021) The project should generate 100 MW that will provide 90% of the daytime power for the company’s resorts on the Vegas Strip—the equivalent of powering 27,000 homes.

What are the advantages of going solar in Las Vegas?

Going solar in Las Vegas is well worth the investment. Thanks to the city’s near-perfect location with abundant sunshine, installing solar panels on your property will probably reduce your energy bills. Las Vegas receives an average of 6.5 hours of fixed-tilt sunlight hours a day, which is more than enough time to generate power for your home’s daily energy needs.^*TurbineGenerator, Las Vegas Solar Power Information & Peak Sun Hours (accessed 8/29/2021)

Once your system is fully installed, it will begin producing energy and reduce your dependence on the local electrical grid. You’ll see immediate savings on your energy bill. Your home may also have a higher resale value due to the solar panel installation.

How much does solar cost in Las Vegas?

The coast of a home solar system can vary, even among houses in the same city, due to a range of factors. These factors include the:

• Quality of the solar panels

• Choice of solar provider

• Size and shape of the roof

• Household’s energy objectives

To help you understand the price of going solar in your area, we’ve analyzed SunPower price quotes as well as quotes gathered by third-party sources for thousands of homeowners across the country.^*Local Solar Installers 2020/2021, Solar Reviews 2021, Energy Sage 2021, Wood Mackenzie 2020, National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2020

In Las Vegas, we found that the investment to own a 5 kilowatt solar systemranges from $12,600 to $37,800. Or, in other words, it costs from $2.52 to $7.56 per watt. And that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

A measure of energy output, a kilowatt-hour (kWh) is 1,000 watts (a kilowatt) producing energy for one hour. The average U.S. household uses just over 900 kWh per month.^*Energy Sage, What is a Kilowatt Hour? (Accessed Sept. 10, 2021).

Las Vegas homeowners can claim the federal solar Investment Tax Credit, which gives new solar PV owners a 26% tax credit for the cost of their system. The federal solar credit applies to several expenses associated with installing a system, such as permitting fees, equipment, and labor costs.

Las Vegas residents can also participate in Nevada’s net metering program, which allows solar system owners to feed their excess solar energy back into the local utility’s electrical grid in exchange for credit on their utility bills. The current net metering program operates on a tiered system for solar panels under 25 kilowatts; the system will last for 20 years. Be sure to ask your utility company for further information.

Please note that tax credits and incentives are subject to change. Similarly, the availability of net metering varies by location and is subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information.

What’s the best way to go solar in Las Vegas?

Before going solar in Las Vegas, it’s best to seek the services of a qualified solar provider. Many details about your home, energy needs, and budget will contribute to the style and quantity of the solar PV panels you will need. Working with a licensed solar installer will streamline the process and help you go solar faster and more efficiently.

Before meeting with a solar installer, use a savings calculator to quickly build a custom solar system design for your home. This virtual design will help you estimate how much money you’ll save on electric bills and the amount of power your system will produce.

Get started now. Request your consultation with SunPower representatives. We’ll follow up with a quick call to schedule a time. You can also call us directly at 1-385-489-5552.