Senate Passage Puts Nevada One Step Away from Solar-Powered Affordable Housing
Carson City, NV – The Nevada Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) commends the Nevada Senate for the passage of AB458, or Solar-Powered Affordable Housing. The 13-7 floor vote demonstrates bipartisan support for this legislation, which gives renters in all affordable housing access to the financial benefits of solar. After going back to the Assembly for acceptance of a minor amendment, the bill will head to Governor Lombardo’s desk.
AB458, sponsored by Assemblymember Howard Watts, eliminates an outdated obstacle that is preventing owners of individually metered affordable housing complexes from installing rooftop solar and sharing the financial savings with their renters. In the bill’s hearing in the Senate Committee on Growth and Infrastructure on May 5, many stakeholders testified in support of the bill, including nonprofit and for-profit housing developers in urban and rural communities, solar industry groups, tribal voices, community-based organizations, faith groups, environmental nonprofits, public health advocates, and others.
“AB458 will expand cost-saving solar access to low-income Nevada households, support affordable housing, and create quality jobs in the state,” said Kirsten Stasio, CEO of the Nevada Clean Energy Fund. “It also unlocks the full potential of NCEF’s $156 million Nevada Solar for All program for the Nevadans who live in affordable housing. By signing AB458 into law, Governor Lombardo will prevent these low-income renters from being unfairly left out of this opportunity to reduce their utility bills.”
“Affordable housing is much like bench pressing. No one succeeds in lifting the full weight of the housing crisis alone. It takes coordination, support, and balance. AB458 provides that balance by allowing affordable housing to participate in net metering,” said Maurice Page, Executive Director of the Nevada Housing Coalition. “Through Solar for All, NCEF expects to finance solar installations on nearly 100 affordable housing properties. Thanks to AB458, those cost-savings will flow to as many low-income tenants as possible.”
“There are 15 Tribal Housing Authorities in Nevada, and AB458 will allow them to install rooftop solar on their properties in the simplest and most cost-effective way,” said Andrea Martinez, former Chairwoman of the Walker River Paiute Tribe and chair of NCEF’s Tribal Advisory Board. “Many tribal communities experience higher-than-average energy burden. This legislation gives Tribal Housing Authorities another, much needed method to lower energy bills for low-income community members.”
“Over one in four households in our state experiences energy insecurity, which includes the impossible choice between paying for food and paying the utility bill. AB458 is the right choice for these Nevadans, who deserve every opportunity to lower everyday household costs,” said Natalie Prochaska, Director of Business Intelligence for Nevada HAND and Chair of NCEF’s Affordable Housing Community Council. “NCEF’s Solar for All program helps these Nevadans by lowering utility bills for more than 50,000 low-income residents and creating nearly 1,000 quality jobs in the process. It’s a win-win-win for the most cost-burdened Nevadans, for affordable housing developers, and for the state economy.”
“The American Lung Association’s 2025 State of the Air Report found that 93 percent of Nevadans live in a community impacted by unhealthy air. By expanding access to solar energy, AB458 will lower the harmful emissions that are responsible for that pollution,” said JoAnna Strother, Senior Director of Advocacy of the American Lung Association. “This legislation will save families money on their energy bills, reduce unhealthy pollution across the state, and ensure Nevadans can breathe cleaner air.”
About the Nevada Clean Energy Fund The Nevada Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) is a nonprofit organization that supports a thriving, affordable, and accessible clean energy economy by providing financial and technical resources to Nevadans. NCEF was established by Nevada legislation in 2017 as the state’s green bank. NCEF implements programs for diverse Nevada stakeholders, including local businesses, households, affordable housing, Tribes, nonprofits, schools, local governments, and rural