Sin City receives around 300 days of sunshine per year. All that sunshine helps create an excellent environment for solar panel efficiency. Nevada itself is mostly desert, and solar systems are common given the climate and geography. The state has some of the highest solar potential in the nation, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. A combination of utility-scale and small-scale solar systems generated 39% of the state’s electricity during 2023.
There are no specific state or city-specific solar tax incentives that residents can take advantage of, local experts say that solar systems can, over time, save homeowners astronomical amounts of money.
“If it’s done right, priced right, and competitive, solar can be fantastic,” Janice Vaughan, owner of Janice Vaughan Solar Consulting, told CNET. “I’ve never come across a scenario in Las Vegas where there were no savings.”
Best national solar panel companies in Las Vegas
Given that Las Vegas is an ideal location for a solar panel system, there are tons of national solar companies with a presence in the area. We’ve ranked and reviewed some of the best. Here are some of the best national solar panel companies that operate in Las Vegas.
Palmetto Solar
Solar panels are typically low maintenance equipment, but they’re also unfamiliar. If you want to reap the benefits of solar but will have a bit more peace of mind if someone else is making sure it’s working, Palmetto might be a good fit for you. Just remember to add the cost of Palmetto’s monitoring service in to your payback period calculations.
EnergyPal
Most flexible
EnergyPal is more than just a middleman. It’ll handle your solar installation from beginning to end while also allowing you to benefit from its proprietary engine and competitive bidding process. The company offers a range of hardware for panels, batteries and inverters, has plentiful financing options and offers responsive customer service support.
Elevation
Elevation’s focus on your home’s energy efficiency isn’t the norm in the industry. If you’re planning on addressing energy efficiency first, working with Elevation allows you to keep the whole process with one company. Elevation’s solar equipment comes from well-established and well-regarded companies. Elevation’s warranties on workmanship and weatherization could be a bit longer.
Freedom Forever
Include Freedom Forever in your search if you want the backing of a national company that installs a wide variety of the most popular solar equipment available. Freedom Forever also extends a couple of products that take some of the pain and risk out of going solar, like a production guarantee and an escrow option with cash purchases. Online reviews say customer satisfaction has been low of late, though the company says that’s changing.
Tesla Solar
Tesla’s solar branch seems to be the least loved of Elon Musk’s ventures. Even Tesla’s Solar Roof seems to get more love.
If price is the thing you won’t budge on, consider Tesla. By all accounts, Tesla installs quality panels and makes the closest thing there is to a household name in solar storage: the Powerwall.
Where you might miss out is customer service. Discussion online seems to suggest Tesla’s service is a bit of a gamble.
Momentum Solar
Momentum installs in 11 states without using subcontractors. While using in-house installers doesn’t guarantee a better experience, it does suggest you’re likely to get a more uniform experience from Momentum. The fact that Momentum backs its installations with a 25-year workmanship warranty hints at a strong belief in its crews’ ability. If Momentum is part of your search, consider the warranties against leaks that other companies offer. Momentum’s is five years, which isn’t the best.
Local solar panel installers in Las Vegas
You don’t need to go through a large solar company to get solar panels on your roof. Sometimes it’s better to consider smaller, local companies that know the area a bit better. It’s also worth noting that solar panel companies and solar panel installers aren’t exactly the same thing — you might buy your solar equipment from one company but need a local contractor or installer to get everything installed. Here are a couple of highly rated local solar panel installers in Las Vegas.
Sun Source Energy is a Las Vegas-based solar installer that offers consultations, solar financing assistance and maintenance and repairs. The company also takes care of the permitting process. Sun Source Energy has earned high marks and glowing reviews on Google. It also partners with local non-profits and schools to provide support to families and extend solar options to underserved regions.
Universal Solar Direct is a Las Vegas-based solar company that boasts over 5,000 completed installations. The company installs solar panel systems, batteries and EV chargers.
How to determine which solar company is best for you
If you’re interested in going solar, the first step is making sure you have the right solar installer for the job. However, this can get a little tricky in Las Vegas, as the area is rife with solar scammers and hustlers, Vaughan said. Over the years, it’s made potential solar customers in Las Vegas wary of door-knocking salespeople. “There isn’t a solar problem, there’s a scammer problem,” she said.
It’s best to do some research before making a final decision. Looking at online reviews, getting quotes from multiple solar companies and comparing pricing and consultation notes can go a long way in helping you find the right company. There’s a lot to consider, and a lot to be skeptical about too. Take your time and don’t feel like you need to sign a contract with the first solar company you find.
A reputable solar company should:
- Explain the project and work deadlines.
- Be transparent about pricing and how system financing works.
- Define technical terms in an easy-to-understand manner.
- Have an understanding of the local permit requirements and the process for system interconnection with the local electric utility.
- Have an understanding of any national or local solar financial incentives you might qualify for.
- Understand any homeowners association restrictions you might run into, and help you navigate the process.
- Answer all of your questions, even the difficult ones.
Cost of solar panels in Las Vegas
Naturally, the most pressing concern you might have regarding solar panels is the price tag. It should come as no surprise that going solar can get expensive. The cost of solar panels has decreased significantly over the past decade, but in most cases, you’re still likely going to be paying tens of thousands of dollars to get solar on your roof.
Because solar panel systems are such a site-dependent purchase, it’s difficult to get an accurate estimate on solar costs without an installer visiting your property. There are tons of variables that will ultimately determine the overall price, including the size of the system you need, any tax credits or rebates you may be eligible for and engineering and permitting considerations.
Solar panels tend to be a bit cheaper per watt in Nevada, but again, these estimates should be taken with a grain of salt. Here’s a look at the average cost of solar panels in Nevada compared to the U.S. average, according to data from FindEnergy.
Average cost of solar panels in Las Vegas vs. the US
| Typical system size (kW) | Price per watt | Total installed cost (before incentives) | Total cost after 30% federal tax credit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas, NV | 7 | $3.08 | $21,560 | $15,092 |
| National average | 6.67 | $3.67 | $31,558 | $22,091 |
Las Vegas solar panel incentives and rebates
Nevada doesn’t offer much in the way of financial solar incentives, and there aren’t any city-specific solar incentives or rebates offered for Las Vegas residents.
Nevada does have a state-governed net metering policy, allowing you to sell any excess electricity you generate to the local utility. The amount you’ll be compensated depends on your system’s excess generation. You can also take advantage of the Federal solar tax credit, which allows you to claim up to 30% of the total cost of your solar panel system on your federal taxes.
Las Vegas residential solar incentives
| Program | Description |
|---|---|
| Federal solar tax credit | A 30% tax credit can be claimed for a percentage of the cost of installing a solar panel system. |
| Net metering | Nevada has state-governed net metering, allowing solar customers to be compensated for any excess solar energy they generate. |
| Community solar | When you’re subscribed to a community solar plan, you’re powering your home with electricity produced from a nearby solar farm. Community solar is available through NVEnergy. |
Installation factors to keep in mind
There are several factors that you need to keep in mind before settling on a solar system. Most are out of your control, such as the regional climate, the specifics of your roof and so on. Despite that, it’s important to remember that Las Vegas’s climate makes the city “an ideal location for solar,” according to Vaughan.
Here are some things to keep in mind when planning out your solar system:
- The condition of you roof: Check if your roof needs repairs or updates before installing a solar system. You should also discuss the pitch and positioning of your roof with your installer. You’ll want to make sure your panels are in a position that captures as much sunlight as possible.
- Las Vegas peak sun hours:As discussed, Nevada is extremely sunny, receiving around 300 days of sunshine per year. The area also receives between 4 and 6 peak sun hours per day, which should help a solar system at a higher efficiency.
- HOA regulations: Nevada has solar access laws, which prevent homeowners associations from barring solar installations. It’s still recommended that you check with your HOA before installing solar panels.
- Homeowners insurance: Be sure to check with your homeowner’s insurance company to see if you can add your solar system to your existing policy.
How to pay for solar panels in Las Vegas
There are a plethora of ways to pay for a solar panel system. Here are some of the most common methods.
Cash
Paying cash is the simplest and most cost-effective way to pay for a solar panel system, assuming you have the cash on hand to pay for an entire system. You won’t have to worry about any down payments or high interest rates. Considering an average solar panel system costs tens of thousands of dollars, financing is the route most people take.
Solar loan
Solar loans are a specific type of financing offered by solar companies. Naturally, there are fees and interest rates to contend with, but it may be worth it to shop around for the most attractive offer, or interest rate, from solar companies.
HELOC or home equity loan
Homeowners may be able to tap into their home’s equity to pay for a solar system through a home equity loan, often called a HELOC. This is a line of credit that is secured against your home’s equity and opens up available credit. HELOCs can be risky. If you can’t pay back what you owe, you could lose your home.
Personal loan
Personal loans are an option available at most financial institutions. Interest rates and fees may vary, and like solar loans, you may need to search around for the best terms.
RE-UP financing
The Nevada Residential Energy Upgrade Program may be another financing option for you, as it connects homeowners in the state with financial assistance for clean energy upgrades. This includes unsecured loans for solar products.
Solar lease
If you’re not interested in owning a solar system, you don’t have to. Rather than purchasing panels, some companies will offer you the option to lease them. This works similarly to most other kinds of leases — you make monthly payments for the use of a solar panel system from a third-party company.
Power purchase agreement
Power purchase agreements are available in Nevada, too, and under such an agreement, solar companies install but retain ownership of a solar system. They then sell the homeowner the energy that the system produces — it may be an attractive set-up for some homeowners, especially those who lack the upfront cash to buy a system outright.
Frequently asked questions
What are the advantages of solar panels?
Solar panels give you the ability to generate your own electricity from the sun (of which there is a lot in Las Vegas). This can help reduce your energy bills.
How long does it take to pay off solar panels?
The amount of time it takes to pay off solar panels depends completely on the type of financing a homeowner chooses to get the panels, the terms in their contract and how much they’re paying back at a time.
Are solar panels worth it in Las Vegas?
Given the climate and amount of annual sunshine the Las Vegas region receives, it’s likely worth it for homeowners to at least explore their options.
Does Las Vegas offer a solar tax credit?
No, there is no Las Vegas-specific solar tax credit, but homeowners in Las Vegas can take advantage of federal tax credits and incentives.
Source: CNET
