The idea of “community solar” — expanding access to solar energy to people who don’t have the ability or financial means to install rooftop panels — is gaining traction nationwide. Households and businesses buy into a local, shared solar producing facility, receiving credit and cost savings on their electricity bills for their share of the power produced.
Through 2021, 39 states, plus Washington, D.C., had implemented community-based solar programs , including Nevada. State lawmakers passed a “modified” community solar program in 2019 that placed the program under the umbrella of NV Energy, the state’s primary electric utility.
But five years later, NV Energy has not reached the minimum construction standards set by the bill, enrollment in the program is lagging and the utility’s efforts toward fulfilling the bill are “lackluster,” according to state lawmakers and watchdog groups.
Under the legislation, between six and 20 sites generating community-based solar were to be constructed across the state — but so far just three have been built, one in Reno and two in Las Vegas. There are no immediate plans to build any additional sites.