GOE, NV Energy Provide Energy Systems to Nevada Schools and Nonprofits

The Nevada Governor's Office of Energy, NV Energy, and community leaders celebrated the completion of 23 solar energy systems throughout Nevada that benefit families in need. The 10 installations in the north and 13 installations in the south were completed as part of NV Energy's Lower Income Solar Energy Pilot Program (LISEPP.)

LISEPP, created by the 2013 Nevada Legislature, provides for two megawatts of private solar energy installations to benefit low-income families in both northern and southern Nevada. Phase I of the program provided solar systems for eight lower-income Title I schools. This phase was completed earlier in 2016.  The second phase, now completed, focused on nonprofit organizations that serve lower-income families. Projects were selected through a stakeholder process that involved regulators, state agencies, solar installers and community activists.

"The school districts and nonprofit organizations will use the bill savings where it matters most, directly impacting the low income populations that the program recipients serve," said Jesse Murray, Director of Renewable Programs for NV Energy. "NV Energy is proud of our renewable energy record and to see these systems further Nevada's sustainability efforts."

Since the program's inception in 2013, NV Energy's SolarGenerations has paid $6.26 million for the installation of the 23 projects. The SolarGenerations program is funded by NV Energy's customers.

Additionally, the Nevada Governor's Office of Energy provided a $350,000 grant for the phase II projects. This grant funded the inclusion of microinverter technology that is projected to lower the maintenance costs of the system over its service lifetime. The electricity generated by these solar projects produces an estimated 3,660,000 kilowatt-hours of energy annually. NV Energy managed the program, designed the system, and oversaw the construction at each location on behalf of its customers that funded the installations. Black Rock Solar installed the northern Nevada systems.

"A major goal of the Governor's Office of Energy is to promote renewable energy in a cost-effective manner," said Director Angie Dykema. "Our support of this program will help these low income groups realize the benefits of low-cost clean energy services where they are most needed. The benefits of LISEPP are that Nevadans are saving money while improving the environment of our nonprofits and schools."

The following schools and nonprofit organizations in northern Nevada benefited from LISEPP:

• Boys & Girls Club of the Truckee Meadows, Reno
• Salvation Army, Reno (3 systems)
• Bristlecone Family Resources, Reno
• Ridge House, Reno
• Stead Elementary School, Reno
• Mark Twain Elementary School, Carson City
• Jacks Valley Elementary School, Carson City
• Southside Elementary School, Elko

"Thanks to NV Energy and Black Rock Solar, Bristlecone Family Resources will be able to take the thousands of dollars saved annually and use it to provide treatment to those in our community that are in need of our services," said Rikki Hensley-Ricker, Development Director, Bristlecone Family Resources. "NV Energy and Black Rock Solar are wonderful community partners."

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About the Governor's Office of Energy

The Governor's Office of Energy oversees energy programs required through statute and those that help to meet the mission of the office, which is to ensure the wise development of Nevada's energy resources in harmony with local community economic needs and Nevada natural resources. For more information about GOE, please visit energy.nv.gov.

About NV Energy

NV Energy, Inc. provides a wide range of energy services to 1.3 million customers throughout Nevada and more than 40 million tourists annually.  NV Energy is a holding company whose principal subsidiaries, Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company, are doing business as NV Energy. The company is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. Information about NV Energy is available on the company's website, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages, which can be accessed via nvenergy.com.