Utilities Commission Gives Tribe Benefits from Nevada Solar Energy Program
Las Vegas Review-Journal -- April 29
The Washoe Tribe on Wednesday became the first applicant approved to receive financial benefits from the Nevada Solar Energy Systems Demonstration Program.
The tribe will be able to get a one-time $5 a watt rebate, or about $37,500,
for the system, about half of the total cost, said Robert Oliver, a consultant
to the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection and member of the
Sunrise Sustainable Resources Group.
Sierra Pacific Power will pay the rebate to the tribe. However, the utility
will be allowed to recover the money through customer rates, he said.
In addition, the tribe can get credit for the excess power it feeds into the
Sierra Pacific Power Co. electric grid.
"By installing a PV (photovoltaic) system, the Washoe Tribe will help
reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and will provide a showcase for sustainable
development," PUC Chairman Don Soderberg said in a statement.
The program allows for $5 per watt rebates for 500 kilowatts during the
fiscal year starting July 1, Oliver said. The rebate declines over three years
as more solar systems are installed.
Assembly Bill 431 established the rebate program to encourage development of
solar power.
In a related development, state consumer advocate Tim Hay announced that
Sunrise Sustainable will be helping residents with existing photovoltaic systems
sell credits to Nevada Power Co. and Sierra Pacific Power.
The utilities will use the credits to comply with another state law that
requires them to obtain 15 percent of their power from renewable energy sources
by 2013.
Those interested may visit the organization's Web site, http://www.sunrisenevada.org
for an application.
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