News > Nevada’s sunshine shouldn’t be dimmed by unfair utility charges

Nevada’s sunshine shouldn’t be dimmed by unfair utility charges

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April 6, 2026

Seven years ago, I moved to Nevada from Maryland, where dense trees and urban row houses made installing solar panels impractical. Las Vegas felt like the perfect place to finally pursue my dream of powering my home with sunlight and reducing my contribution to global warming.

When I installed solar panels on my home in April 2023, the math was clear: even without incentives, my system would pay for itself within a decade and then provide free energy for years to come.  But, I wasn’t just thinking of myself.  The benefits of solar extend well beyond just those who install it. Solar generates power right where it’s used, easing the burden on our electric grid and avoiding costly infrastructure upgrades that would otherwise increase rates for everyone. Solar is good for all of us.

Unfair utility charges in Nevada

That’s why I was angered by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada’s (PUCN) approval of NV Energy’s proposals last year, including a roughly $148 million annual revenue increase and a first-of-its-kind daily demand charge for Southern Nevada customers that will likely go into effect on October 1, 2026.  Instead of prioritizing affordability in the short and long term by investing in energy efficiency measures and solar, it feels like the PUC is more concerned with NV Energy’s shareholders’ wellbeing. As an investor-owned monopoly utility held by Berkshire Hathaway, NV Energy has no competition and is providing guaranteed returns to investors at 9%. 

This new demand charge will increase how much all customers pay for electricity during certain parts of the day. It will limit how much of our bill solar owners can offset with our investment. The PUC’s decision forces me and all NV Energy customers to foot the bill for the utility’s nonrenewable infrastructure projects.  It is short term thinking and it will be expensive for all of us.

Further, the PUC decision upends the system Northern Nevada customers use to earn credit from the solar electricity they generate. Instead of crediting solar owners for excess electricity generation at the end of the month, the new system credits new solar owners for excess electricity generated every 15 minutes. This new measurement devalues their solar investment by undercounting how much electricity solar owners generate but don’t use themselves.

Fighting back with our Attorney General

But there’s good news: Aaron Ford, our Attorney General (AG) is fighting back. The AG’s Bureau of Consumer Protection is challenging the demand charge, 15-minute netting rules, and the $2.7 million in approved affiliate charges. The BCP has stated that the demand charge violates Nevada law prohibiting mandatory time-of-use rates for all customers.

This legal challenge shows that concerns about NV Energy’s rate structure aren’t just coming from solar owners like me. Nevada’s top consumer protection office recognizes these charges as problematic. As the AG takes this fight to court, public support matters. I’m standing with Solar United Neighbors who is gathering signatures from Nevadans who oppose these unfair charges.  Please join me by adding your name to the petition. Let’s demand fair rates and clean energy for all Nevadans.

— Fred Van Dyk