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Solar for one and all
State should find ways to encourage both small and large renewable energy projects
Friday, April 24, 2009 | 2:08 a.m.
The debate in the state Legislature on spurring renewable energy projects has been hung up over the question of whether Nevada should support small-scale solar projects, including those on home rooftops.
As Alexandra Berzon reported in Monday’s Las Vegas Sun, lawmakers are trying to decide whether to mandate that NV Energy include the small solar installations in its energy plan.
Under one proposal, the power company would be required to get as much as 2 percent of its renewable power from small projects. That might be ambitious considering that the cost of installing solar cells is still expensive. A home installation might cost $45,000. To cut those costs, there is discussion about allowing NV Energy to increase its rates to give subsidies to owners of homes and small businesses who install solar systems. With the subsidy and federal tax credits, a homeowner could cut the cost nearly in half, not to mention the cost savings of generating his own power.
NV Energy and some lawmakers are against the plan. There is a legitimate concern that even with the subsidy, the high cost would preclude many people from installing solar panels and the subsidies, in the form of higher rates, would be borne by low-income ratepayers.
Instead, NV Energy and some lawmakers say the state would be better served by pursuing large renewable energy project with tax breaks, arguing that such plans are more economical than rooftop solar panels.
Sadly, it seems as if lawmakers are viewing this as an either-or debate. That shouldn’t be the case. The state needs new sources of power and should be doing all it can to tap into an abundance of renewable energy sources — both small and large. We believe the Legislature and NV Energy should be able to find the right combination of tax incentives and subsidies, without raising rates, to encourage the construction of more renewable energy projects.
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"A home installation might cost $45,000. To cut those costs, there is discussion about allowing NV Energy to increase its rates to give subsidies to owners of homes and small businesses who install solar systems"
Yes,,,, lets rob your neighbor so some guy can feel good about buying a $45,000 solar system that truly has zero payback.
Lib logic at work.
Also it is funny that the median price of housing is approaching $100k and the libs want to put $45k solar systems on top of them.
Feel-Good Legislation, like most of this enviro policy changes, are nice ... but will probably shut some businesses down, thus cost us jobs.
The China, Japan and India are creating more pollution than we ever would ... why make US companies, which are struggling to keep afloat, jump through more hoops?
I love the Earth, but I don't want to live like a Caveman or the how the Pilgrims lived. Call me selfish.
The LV Sun said "We believe the Legislature and NV Energy should be able to find the right combination of tax incentives and subsidies, without raising rates"
"without raising rates"
There is no free lunch. Solar power is more expensive.
You are either going to provide subsidies with ratepayer or taxpayer money.
This means that most homeowners who can not afford a solar setup will pay a few homeowners who can afford a $45,000 solar set a subsidy either by higher taxes or higher rates.
It is not free.