NV Energy has proposed a change for new solar customers, moving from monthly net metering to a 15-minute interval system. Currently, homeowners with solar panels can store extra power as credits for use at night or during other times when their panels are not producing energy. Julia Hubbard, program director for Solar United Neighbors, said, "It’s a huge disincentive for people to go solar because it affects the payback period of your system," according to 8 News Now.
Robbin Palmer, a solar panel owner, said that "Nevada Energy gives 75% of the value and pockets the other 25%." NV Energy said the proposed change is meant to provide a fair accounting of electricity on the grid. The company also said that "Nevada Energy has continued to say solar customers don’t pay their fair share and as a result of that they have a revenue shortfall," as reported by 8 News Now.
Starting September 1, NV Energy will accept applications for the Expanded Solar Access Program, which gives discounted energy rates to low-income households earning up to 80% of the area’s median income. Current participants will be automatically re-enrolled each year. The program’s future is uncertain after Nevada was temporarily suspended from federal "Solar for All" funds, and all related grants from the Nevada Clean Energy Fund have been discontinued, as mentioned by This Is Reno. The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada will decide this fall on NV Energy’s 15-minute net metering proposal, which could start for new solar customers on October 1.
