Nevada Creates Customer Incentives for Wind Power

The last session of the Nevada State Legislature made the state’s SolarGenerations demonstration program permanent, doubling the total amount of installed photovoltaic energy eligible for rebates from 1,900 kilowatts (KW) to 3,760 KW, and adding the new WindGenerations and HydroGenerations programs. Together, these programs are called RenewableGenerations.

Due to the success of the SolarGenerations Program, Sierra Pacific Resources (NYSE: SRP) announced that its two Nevada utilities, Sierra Pacific Power and Nevada Power Company, will begin offering cash incentives for wind and hydroelectric power systems, as well as solar photovoltaic systems.

Rebates will soon be available to help customers offset installation costs for wind turbines and small, agricultural hydroelectric generating plants. In addition, more rebates will be available to customers who install solar photovoltaic systems, the company said.

Rebate levels for the 2009-2010 program year are:

For SolarGenerations:

• Residential–up to 5,000 watts at $2.30 per watt
• Small Business–up to 30,000 watts at $2.30 per watt
• Schools–up to 50,000 watts at $4.60 per watt
• Public Buildings–up to 30,000 watts at $4.60 per watt

For WindGenerations:

• $2.50 per watt up to 10 kilowatts
• $1.50 per watt for systems larger than 10 kilowatts (certain rules and restriction may apply)

For HydroGenerations:

• $2.50 per watt (available for agricultural customers meeting certain criteria)

Customers can apply for rebates through the new program beginning Sept. 4, 2008, through October 8, 2008. Customers are encouraged to apply early as applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and the opportunity to apply is only available once a year.

Eligible customers include Sierra Pacific Power and Nevada Power residential and small business customers who plan on installing a photovoltaic system or a wind turbine at their homes or businesses. Schools and public buildings are also eligible for rebates for solar and wind energy. Only agricultural customers who plan on installing hydroelelectric power are eligible for the HydroGenerations program.