Solar savings offer security in the face of change to Reno homeowner
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Homeowner Denise Barclay has called Reno, Nevada, home since 1988. For the past 10 years, she’s been powering that home with solar energy. Denise initially went solar to decrease her dependence on fossil fuels. Now, as she navigates life changes and eyes retirement, that investment is paying off by providing crucial savings on her monthly expenses.
In 2015, Denise and her husband installed a 5.2-kilowatt solar array on their home. The upfront price was $18,720, but they lowered that cost 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 them $5,460. They also received a renewable energy rebate of $1,830 from their utility company, NV Energy. These savings decreased the payback time and made solar more attractive. “That definitely weighed in on going forward,” said Denise.
The year before going solar, Denise’s home paid $1,275 in annual energy costs. Now, as an energy producer herself, she pays a fraction of that. “In 2024, I ended up paying $223 for everything, for all of my energy.” Those solar savings became a lifeline last year when Denise and her husband separated, leaving her to cover all of the home’s expenses on her own.
“It has allowed me to be able to afford to stay in this house, to just live here, and to be able to meet my needs. Because things are much more expensive in this day and age, and if I were trying to pay for energy … it would have been a significant hit in my ability to make ends meet,” she shared.
Since going solar, Denise has upgraded to high-efficiency electric heat pumps for heating and cooling. These improvements help her make the most of her solar system and insulate her from rising utility costs, another boon as she eyes retirement. “Whether you lose a partnership through a divorce or from death … it makes it much more difficult to live on a fixed income, and so this brings a sense of safety and security.”
Distributed renewable energy gives homeowners control over their power — and, by extension, their lives — removing one more uncertainty when circumstances change. Programs like the ITC make solar more accessible, giving Nevadans like Denise the opportunity to experience the benefits of energy independence. Despite bipartisan support, pro-solar investments like the ITC face opposition in Congress. Denise’s experience highlights how solar can directly impact the well-being of homeowners in Nevada and underscores the importance of maintaining programs that make it more affordable so others can benefit as well.
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