NV Energy is giving low-income customers another crack at cheaper power, reopening applications for its Expanded Solar Access Program so people can see solar credits on their bill without ever touching a rooftop panel. The utility says participating households saw average savings of about 9–10% on the energy portion of their bills last year.
How the program works
Expanded Solar Access Program, or ESAP, takes selected customers and virtually matches them to energy from utility-scale and community-based solar projects. Instead of installing panels on their own homes, participants get a special program rate that replaces the standard energy rate on their bill.
The setup is aimed squarely at renters and residents of multifamily buildings who cannot realistically put solar on their roofs but still want in on lower solar pricing. According to NV Energy, this added application window runs from April 1 through May 31, 2026.
Who qualifies and what the limits look like
The low-income category is defined as households earning at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. Applicants have to back that up with proof such as SNAP, Medicaid or other qualifying program documentation.
Local coverage puts 80% of AMI at roughly $78,000 for a family of four in the Las Vegas area, according to KTNV. Other reporting, including 8 News Now (KLAS), lists example income thresholds starting around $54,600 for a single-person household and running up to roughly $103,000 for an eight-person household. Household size and county both change the exact dollar cutoffs.
How to apply
To get in the running, customers must fill out the ESAP application form and submit documents proving household income or enrollment in an eligible assistance program. Anyone who already has rooftop solar is out of luck for this one and is not eligible.
The NV Energy materials spell out which proof counts, including TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, NSLP, Nevada Telecom Lifeline, LIHTC and other state assistance programs, along with an email and mailing address where applications can be sent. The full list of acceptable documentation is included with the ESAP form from NV Energy.
Selection, capacity and expected savings
Submitting an application gets you in the pool, but it does not guarantee you a spot. NV Energy warns that if there are more eligible applicants than available ESAP capacity in any category, the utility will use a lottery to decide who gets enrolled.
The company reports that low-income ESAP customers in 2025 saw average savings of around 9–10% on the energy portion of their bills, depending on rate schedule and how much electricity they used. Those figures appear in the utility’s recent program notice and related press information from NV Energy.
Why this matters
The Expanded Solar Access Program exists because of Assembly Bill 465, a 2019 state law that told Nevada utilities to create plans that expand access to solar and deliver lower rates to qualifying low-income customers. The law also directed the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada to set standards for ESAP and review utility plans before they launch. The bill text and legislative background are available through the Nevada Legislature.
If you think your household may qualify, your to-do list is straightforward: confirm where your income falls relative to the AMI, pull together proof of income or assistance program enrollment, and get the ESAP form in before the May 31 deadline. Enrollment is limited and a lottery is possible, so it is worth reading through the utility’s materials and recent local coverage before you apply or head to NVEnergy.com/ESAP to double-check the fine print.
