Federal grant will soon bring solar power to Nevada communities

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – Community solar power is starting to appear in Nevada thanks to a new federal grant.

For those looking to save money on electricity and switch to renewable energy sources, solar has become a popular option. The panels can save money in the long run, but the upfront costs can be prohibitive for many people. Kirsten Stasio, CEO of the Nevada Clean Energy Fund, says a new $156 million federal grant from the EPA could change that.

“Low-income and historically underserved communities have been left out of this opportunity. Unfortunately, they bear the greatest burden of energy costs and spend a larger share of their income on energy bills,” Stasio said.

The Solar For All grant will now enable low-income residents to access solar energy without the burden of installation costs.

“We will provide funds in the form of a combination rebate and loan. This loan is intended to help cover federal tax credits, which cover up to 30-70% of a solar project,” Stasio said.

To make this possible, a concept known as community solar will be used. This involves a nonprofit or government building hosting a solar project, and the people around it subscribing at a discounted rate for a portion of the energy produced. The best part is that this isn’t just for homeowners.

“This will allow us to launch not only community solar programs, but also programs for single-family homes and affordable multifamily developments to have solar energy that their tenants can benefit from,” Stasio said.

This could be a breakthrough because, until now, tenants have not been included in the solar energy conversation.

“They don’t necessarily have control over what energy devices they have in their home or whether they can have solar panels on their roof, so this really helps level the playing field,” Stasio said.

Until 2021, Nevada law prohibited apartment dwellers from using rooftop solar power. Senate Bill 488 changed that, allowing owners of apartments, multifamily homes and commercial buildings to use rooftop solar power.

Not counting businesses, schools or tribes, the Nevada Clean Energy Fund hopes to reach at least 20,000 homes over the next five years, significantly reducing Nevada’s energy consumption. According to the grant, each household that uses the program must see at least a 20 percent energy cost savings. The Nevada Clean Energy Fund will actively work to increase that number by working with local governments, schools and utilities to match Solar for All funds with federal tax credits to build more projects that share energy cost savings with low-income households.

Those interested in applying can do so in 2025. Until then, you can sign up for updates and fill out a solar interest form here.