Skip to Content
U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Energy Incentive Programs, Nevada

Updated December 2012

Nevada utilities budgeted nearly $80 million in 2011 to promote energy efficiency and load management in the state.

What public-purpose-funded energy efficiency programs are available in my state?

Nevada does not have public-purpose-funded energy efficiency programs.

What utility energy efficiency programs are available to me?

NV Energy, the result of a 2008 merger between Nevada Power Company, Sierra Pacific Power Company and Sierra Pacific Resources, provides energy efficiency programs and financial incentives to commercial/industrial customers as a result of its integrated resource planning (IRP) process.

NV Energy's SureBet Incentive Program provides prescriptive and custom incentives for energy efficiency measures in existing buildings as well as for new construction projects. Prescriptive retrofit incentives are offered on a per unit basis for common energy-saving technologies including lighting, HVAC, motors, refrigeration, PC management software and commercial kitchen equipment. Eligible projects must involve capital improvement that results in permanent electric usage reduction (kWh). Remuneration varies depending on the size of the project (ranging from 100% of calculated value of eligible incentives up to $100,000 per year per applicant to 10% of the eligible value of incentives above $1 million).

Southwest Gas Corporation's Large Commercial Energy Audit Program provides rebates for audits, boiler efficiency improvements, and custom measures. Southwest's Commercial High-Efficiency Equipment Rebate Program offers a rebate of 50% of the purchase price (up to a specified maximum) for new high-efficiency natural gas water heaters and food service equipment.

What load management/demand response options are available to me?

NV Energy's Cool Share Program is available to small businesses with air-conditioning units of 10 tons or less. Customers can earn incentives for curtailing their air conditioning load by allowing direct load control or by controlling thermostats themselves via the internet.

What distributed energy resource options are available to me?

The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) provides information on programs that offer incentives for renewable distributed generation. The following programs may be of interest to federal customers:

NV Energy offers the RenewableGenerations program, which provides incentives to offset installation costs of solar, wind and hydro renewable energy systems.

  • The RenewableGenerations program provides prescriptive rebates of up to $310,000 to public facilities for PV, wind, and small hydro (sub-200 kW) installations.

  • The SolarGenerations Hot Water program offers incentives to public facilities of up to $30,000 toward the installation of qualifying solar hot water heaters.

  • The WindGenerations program is currently (December, 2012) closed and not accepting new applications. New draft regulations for the program have been approved by the Utilities Commission and are under review by the Legislative Counsel Bureau. When the regulations become effective, NV Energy will announce the next application period. Interested facilities are advised to check the web page for updates.

  • The HydroGenerations program available to agricultural customers, pays a rebate of $3.00/watt for net metering installations or $3.25/watt for the non net-metered option (non-profit rate).

Are there energy efficiency programs sponsored by the state government?

The Nevada State Energy Office, in the Department of Business and Industry, provides information on energy efficiency resources in the state.

What additional opportunities are available to me?

Federal customers whose utilities have area-wide contracts through GSA (e.g., Idaho Power), may be able to take advantage of 3rd-party financed energy efficiency projects called utility energy services contracts (UESCs). Information is available on GSA's Energy Center of Expertise Library Page. Federal facilities should contact their account executive to determine the level of each utility's participation.

NOTE: Energy efficiency funds and demand response programs are updated at least annually. Please contact the FEMP webmaster if changes are needed between updates.