Solar-Powered Affordable Housing in Nevada Reaches Milestone at Public Utilities Commission
Carson City, NV – Last week, Assembly Bill 458 (2025) reached an implementation milestone at the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) with the final deadline for comments on NV Energy’s proposed Solar-Powered Affordable Housing tariffs on Wednesday. Solar-Powered Affordable Housing, which received bipartisan support in the 2025 Legislative Session, will enable all Nevada renters living in affordable housing to access the financial benefits of solar. Governor Lombardo signed AB 458 into law in June 2025.
The Nevada Clean Energy Fund (NCEF), the Nevada Housing Coalition, and METCO Engineering filed joint comments to emphasize the importance of Solar-Powered Affordable Housing, especially with fewer federal resources to make both housing and energy more affordable. The comments also underscore the importance of timely implementation of the tariffs to ensure developers can take advantage of the federal commercial solar tax credit and other federal funds that help lower housing and utility costs for the Nevadans who need it most.
In its tariff filing, NV Energy requested 180 additional days to implement the tariff, an unnecessarily long period that would compromise the ability of Solar-Powered Affordable Housing projects to use federal funds and tax credits in advance of a key upcoming deadline on July 4, 2026. Last year, NV Energy implemented complex tariffs—such as the 15-minute net metering rate—in less than three weeks. The joint comments urge the PUCN and NV Energy to implement the tariff in a timely manner so that affordable housing projects can meet the July 4, 2026 deadline.
“Advancing this program comes at a critical time when housing and utility costs are rising and too many Nevadans are struggling to keep up,” said Assemblymember Howard Watts, sponsor of AB 458. “Our state has some of the best solar potential in the country. Solar-Powered Affordable Housing puts this abundant natural resource to work to lower residents’ energy bills.”
“AB 458 and these tariffs will remove a significant roadblock for affordable housing in Nevada, allowing more properties to benefit from solar cost savings,” said Maurice Page, Executive Director of the Nevada Housing Coalition. “By reducing operational costs, this policy helps ensure long-term affordability, making it easier to build and maintain housing Nevada desperately needs.”
“NCEF is ready to finance Solar-Powered Affordable Housing projects to enable them to access solar cost savings and take advantage of federal tax credits once implementation at the PUCN is complete,” said Kirsten Stasio, CEO of the Nevada Clean Energy Fund. “Affordable housing developers and renters need solutions like this.”
As long as the dockets remain uncontested, the PUCN Commissioners will consider the proposed tariffs and recommendations by Regulatory Operations Staff at a public meeting.
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 created by state legislation in 2017 to serve as Nevada’s green bank. NCEF implements programs for diverse stakeholders, including households, affordable housing developers, tribes, nonprofits, schools, local governments, and rural communities.