Nevada Solar for All Powers Ahead, NCEF Remains Committed to Delivering Solutions that Lower Utility Bills

The Nevada Clean Energy Fund continues to update this release with reactions from partners. Check back for the most recent updates.

The Nevada Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) is committed to delivering real, immediate relief for families, small businesses, and municipalities across the state through its Nevada Solar for All program. The program lowers utility bills and expands access to money-saving solar power.

In the spring of 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded the Nevada Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) a $156 million Solar for All grant—the highest per capita award of any state based on eligible population. Although the EPA has legally obligated Solar for All grant funds to 60 recipients across the nation and the program benefits from bipartisan support, recent national headlines have raised questions about whether the EPA will continue to support the program.

Half of low- and moderate-income households reduced or went without food or medicine in order to pay their energy bills last year. Solar for All provides a lasting solution to the skyrocketing energy bills facing Nevada families and businesses. 

Nevada Solar for All lowers utility bills for low-income families, supports workforce development in rural and urban communities, and provides financing for solar projects on homes, apartment buildings, and businesses. Between now and summer 2029, the Nevada Solar for All program will catalyze hundreds of millions of dollars in additional private investment and utility bill savings, create nearly 1,000 solar jobs, and reduce energy costs for over 50,000 Nevadans. Since launching the program has already:

• Received interest from over 300 single-family households
• Attracted 25 multifamily affordable housing developers, with over 5,000 tenants
• Advanced conversations with 25+ potential community solar site hosts, including nonprofits and local governments. 

“NCEF has not received a Solar for All termination notice from the EPA and we are still accepting applications,” said Kirsten Stasio, CEO of the Nevada Clean Energy Fund. “We hear from Nevadans every day that they desperately need the relief that comes from our Nevada Solar for All program, and we have been working hard over the past year to get these funds into the hands of the households that need them. We are committed to this program and to Nevada’s communities.”

“Programs like Solar for All help companies like ours keep people working and make solar more accessible to more Nevadans,” said Steve Hamile, CEO of Sol-Up. “Sol-Up employs nearly 200 people, and the stability and demand from this program are important for sustaining our workforce. With the loss of the 25D tax credit already disrupting clean energy businesses, pulling back on Solar for All would put more jobs at risk and make it harder for families to manage rising utility costs.”

“Nevada Solar for All delivers affordable, clean energy to the Nevadans who need it most, while advancing the state’s long-term goals of energy independence,” said Mark Dickson, President of Simple Power Solar in Reno. “At a time when the solar industry is navigating economic headwinds, this program serves as a critical stabilizer. Our workforce of over 35 employees, along with thousands of others from dozens of other companies statewide, rely on the continued support and demand generated by this program. Preserving its funding is essential.”  

“We received a Nevada Solar for All investment that is transformational for our organization and the women we serve,” said Roxanne DeCarlo, Executive Director of The Empowerment Center, a Reno nonprofit and affordable housing developer that assists women in recovery to build a better future through treatment and workforce development. “Lower energy costs mean we can focus more resources on what matters most: helping women rebuild their lives in a safe, stable environment. It’s also a powerful statement that clean energy belongs in every community, including those on the path to recovery.” 

“Rural Nevada stands to benefit substantially from Nevada Solar for All, and we urge continued support for this program,” said Beth Dunning, Director of Community Development at Nevada Rural Housing. “Nevada Solar for All will lower electricity bills for many rural families who otherwise would be unable to access these savings and increase energy reliability in rural and remote communities that face frequent power outages.” 

“Nevada Solar for All is ramping up to deliver utility bill relief to thousands of Nevadans and United Way of Southern Nevada is excited to be part of NCEF’s community solar program. Together, we will be making energy more affordable for renters and households across the state,” said Janet Quintero, Chief Strategy and Advocacy Officer at United Way of Southern Nevada. “On behalf of the households this program will deliver crucial savings to, we stand in strong support of this critical investment.”