Solar tax credits help Nevada homeowner save on rising utility costs
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Retired homeowner Rob Bastien has called Carson City, Nevada, home since the 1970s. He’s seen a lot of change come to Western Nevada over the years, including the cost of electricity. In 2009, things hit a tipping point. “The energy bills kept going up and up, not only electricity, but Southwest Gas, so we were looking at possibly saving some money somehow,” Rob said. Around that time, he came across an advertisement for an information session on solar. It turned out that was the solution he was looking for.
In 2010, Rob installed a 3.7-kilowatt solar array on his home. The upfront price of the system was $24,750, but a combination of local and federal incentives helped him save. Through his utility company, NV Energy, Rob received a $7,314 renewable energy rebate, dropping his cost. He secured further reductions through the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows solar owners to deduct up to 30% of a system’s cost from their federal income taxes. The tax credit saved him $5,200. These savings decreased the payback time and made solar more attractive. “It was enough to entice us to … go that route,” he shared.
The system covers about 70% of his home’s energy needs. In addition to saving him money on his monthly bills, solar has enabled Rob to electrify his home and decrease his reliance on fossil fuels. He’s upgraded his furnace and air conditioning to high-efficiency electric heat pumps and installed a charger for his electric vehicle. These improvements were also eligible for federal rebates.
Rob takes pride in being a producer of distributed renewable energy, and hopes to see his community continue embracing rooftop solar. For that to happen, the incentives that have saved him money over the years need to remain viable. Despite bipartisan support, solar opponents in Congress want to repeal important investments, like the ITC, that help more Americans benefit from solar energy. These programs save money for families and local businesses while creating good jobs.
The ITC was crucial in Rob’s decision to go solar. “We probably wouldn’t have done it originally if it wasn’t for the [$5,200] tax credit.” Now, other Nevadans hoping to invest in clean energy may lose access to this important cost-saving program. Rob hopes his elected officials will fight to protect it. “It’s very important, I think, to maintain this tax credit availability.”
Act Now: Urge Congress to protect solar energy tax credits for all Americans
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