Nevada is the third sunniest state in the U.S. Moreover, it ranks sixth in the SEIA’s national solar ranking. This makes it an excellent place to go solar, which is why an increasing number of Nevadans are seeking reliable solar installers. We at the MarketWatch Guides Team found that the best solar companies in Nevada are SunPower, Sunrun, ADT Solar, Green Home Systems and Momentum Solar.
We selected the above solar companies after thorough research, consumer surveys and discussions with experts from the solar industry. We also use a detailed methodology to rate and review each provider we discuss.
What To Look for in a Solar Company
Solar power is one of the biggest home upgrades you can make. Considering its cost and complexity, it is important to consider the following important factors when choosing an installer.
- Cost and financing: Based on your home energy usage and other factors, a typical solar panel system can cost thousands of dollars. An expensive system will have a longer payback period.
However, the cheapest systems can also have low savings due to poor performance. Choose a reliable installer who offers good quality equipment at reasonable pricing. You may even want to explore installers who offer alternative payment options such as solar loans, leases or power purchase agreements (PPA). - Trustworthiness: Choosing a trustworthy solar provider ensures high installation quality as well as reliable post-installation support, especially for warranties or maintenance.To check if a solar company is trustworthy, you can check its licenses and registrations online, as well as its existing customers’ reviews and ratings.
- Services offered: Solar energy is an excellent home upgrade, but it is not the only thing that can save you money. You can enjoy greater benefits by adding other home upgrades, such as improved insulation.Before going solar, you may also need other services for optimum performance and longevity of your panels.For example, your old roof may need replacement, or a part of a tree covering your roof may need removal. Several solar companies offer these related services. We suggest listing the possible services you may need before requesting solar quotes.
Compare Nevada Solar Companies
In Nevada, the average cost of a solar energy system is about $2.51/W, which is significantly lower than the national average of $2.85/W. A typical, 5 kW system will cost around $12,500. Below is a table that outlines the pricing and other important details of Nevada’s best solar companies.
*Note: Pricing data is based on responses to our March 2023 solar survey of 1,000 homeowners with 10 kilowatt (kW) solar systems. BBB ratings are accurate as of June 2023.
Our Recommendation
Nevada residents are blessed with strong sunlight as well as a multitude of solar installers. Homeowners looking for an experienced brand can go with SunPower or ADT Solar, while those interested in easier payment options can go with Sunrun or Green Home Systems.
You may also want to research local companies like Sol-Up or Nevada Solar Group. Before choosing an installer, we recommend requesting free quotes from multiple solar companies.
Nevada Solar Incentives
Nevada lacks a solid incentive program for solar, unlike some of its neighboring states. However, that does not deter its residents from switching to solar power, thanks to ample sunlight as well as substantial savings from the federal tax credit. Below is a look at solar incentives for Nevada residents.
Federal Incentives
The federal solar tax credit, also known as the investment tax credit (ITC) is available to all U.S. residents and therefore all Nevadans. It allows solar panel buyers to deduct up to 30% of their system’s cost from their following year’s income taxes. This is equivalent to getting a 30% rebate on their system. Considering Nevada’s typical system cost of $12,500, the incentive can save about $3,750.
Statewide Incentives
Residents of the Silver State can also benefit from the following statewide incentives.
Methodology: Our System for Ranking the Best Solar Companies
We closely evaluated seven crucial factors according to our solar panel installation company methodology to rank the best providers in the industry. Based on a 100-point scale, we came up with each provider’s score out of five stars. Here’s how we assessed each company:
- Cost and payment options (20 points): Companies that offer cash purchases and in-house loan financing earned full points in this category. Companies also receive bonus points if they offer solar panel leasing or power purchase agreements (PPAs).
- Services (20 points): Besides solar installations, companies offering backup battery and EV charger installations, energy efficiency audits and system monitoring earned the most points in this category. We also allotted points to companies that completed all their installations in-house (as opposed to contracting out installers).
- Reputation (20 points): We considered each company’s Google star rating, BBB customer review rating, BBB customer complaint response rate and NABCEP certification status to award each company its reputation score.
- Warranty (15 points): We verified that each company offers workmanship, product and performance warranties on all of its solar installs. Providers earned more points if their warranties were at or above the industry-standard length (10 years for workmanship and product warranties and 25 years for performance warranties).
- Customer Support (10 points): Solar companies that offered virtual consultations, a mobile app, 24/7 customer support and high customer satisfaction with backend support earned the most points in this category.
- Industry Experience (10 points): Providers with 10 or more years of experience in the solar installation industry earned a perfect score in this category.
- Sustainability (5 points): Companies with a detailed sustainability statement, ESG disclosures, end-of-life panel disposal programs and community partnerships earned all five points in this category.
Aniket Bhor is a solar engineer who has spent nearly a decade studying and working in the solar power sector in the European, Asian and North American markets. He is a climate enthusiast and avid cyclist, and he also loves to lose himself in books and cooking.
Sabrina Lopez is an editor with over six years of experience writing and editing digital content with a particular focus on home services, home products and personal finance. When she is not working on articles to help consumers make informed decisions, Sabrina enjoys creative writing and spending time with her family and their two parrots.
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