Nye County is located in south central Nevada with a population of 43,946 over 18,182 square miles and is the third largest county in the continental United States. The County is situated in an excellent area for solar due its above average solar energy resource. Nye County yields 1,557 kWh/kW per year, which is more than 10% greater than the national average of 1,200 kWh/kW per year.
Solar Market Potential
In assessing the potential for solar PV installations in Nye County, the SSTI team considered statewide renewable energy goals as reflected in the Nevada Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). The RPS requires investor owned utilities to produce 25% of electric power via renewable sources by 2025.
Local solar project development keeps the economic and environmental benefits in the community. Targeting development of half of the RPS goal through local/regional solar PV could have the following impact over the next 5 years in Nye County:
| LOCAL IMPACT |
Nye County |
All Western Nevada Jurisdictions (6) |
| Solar Viable Residences |
5,100 |
20,495 |
| Residential Potential (kW) |
26,011 |
104,531 |
| Total Market Potential (kW) |
88,725 |
209,423 |
| Annual Energy Production (kWh) |
138,145,000 |
722,983,000 |
| Equivalent Homes Powered |
14,591 |
76,362 |
| Economic Impact ($) |
$164 million |
$387 million |
| Workforce Impact (Jobs): |
852 |
2,010 |
| Environmental Benefit (acres trees) |
20,307 |
47,302 |
Visit our methods and assumptions page for more information on these estimates.
Local Installation Requirements
For specific information regarding local solar permitting, zoning, net metering or interconnection procedures, contact the appropriate office listed below.
Permitting & Inspection Procedures
Permitting and inspection for solar PV systems in Nye County currently follow standard permitting procedures. The County is exploring streamlined processes for solar, including the use of simplified solar specific permit forms.
- Visit Nye County’s Building Safety Department website or call (775) 751-3773 for general information about the County’s solar permitting process
Net Metering & Interconnection Procedures
Nevada Energy is the electricity provider for the County. Solar related information is easily accessible online via the direct links below.
- Visit Nevada Energy’s Solar Webpage for general information
- Nevada Energy’s Net Metering Brochure is available online
- Nevada Energy’s Interconnection Agreement is available online
- Nevada Energy’s solar incentive information can be found by clicking the “Local Solar Financing” button below.
Local Solar Resources
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General Solar Resources
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Solar Roadmap
To facilitate efforts to capture the local solar opportunity, the Solar Roadmap team has worked in close coordination with the County to develop a customized, interactive solar roadmap as described and accessible below. This solar roadmap contains specific, actionable steps that can be pursued to improve permitting and inspection processes and develop solar friendly municipal regulations and guidelines.
