Solar advocates file appeal challenging Nevada PUC net metering decision

November 4, 2016
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
The appeal challenges a previous district court decision that failed to restore small businesses and residents into favourable net metering rates. Source: Earthjustice.org

Prominent energy advocacy groups Earthjustice and Vote Solar filed an appeal on Wednesday against the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUC) decision to end net metering.

The PUC decision coming into force at the beginning of this year saw an effective end to the popular solar subsidy scheme, after fees for solar users were tripled whilst energy credits were significantly diminished. Net metering had been an established rate structure in Nevada for nearly two decades, giving solar users fair credit for the electricity they delivered to the grid.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

NV Energy recently made a decision to grandfather 32,000 existing solar users into the prior more favourable rate structure, but this was viewed by many industry stakeholders as too little, too late.

However, the Carson City district court was successful in reversing the controversial PUC decision for existing solar customers, with restrictions still remaining for new residential and small business customers.

Solar advocacy group Bring Back Solar had attempted to bring in a referendum to the 8 November ballot that could have restored net metering to its prior rates. However, the Nevada Supreme Court unanimously ruled against it, leaving lobbyists back at square one.

Earthjustice and Vote Solar aim to appeal the Carson City district court decision and extend that restoration for everyone.

“Restoring net metering will bring consumer solar options, clean energy jobs, and the health benefits of solar back to Nevada communities,” said Jessica Scott, interior west regional director for Vote Solar. “We have a strong legal case for reversing the decision for future solar customers and look forward to having a full discussion of the facts at the Supreme Court.”

“Net metering gave thousands of Nevadans the opportunity to power their homes and businesses with solar energy,” commented Earthjustice attorney Sara Gersen. “Nevada law requires utilities to offer net metering. By ensuring the Commission follows the law, the Nevada Supreme Court can put clean energy back within reach for many Nevadans.”

The case is expected to be decided at some point in 2017.

16 June 2026
Napa, USA
PV Tech has been running PV ModuleTech Conferences since 2017. PV ModuleTech USA, on 16-17 June 2026, will be our fifth PV ModulelTech conference dedicated to the U.S. utility scale solar sector. The event will gather the key stakeholders from solar developers, solar asset owners and investors, PV manufacturing, policy-making and and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out the PV module supply channels to the U.S. out to 2027 and beyond.

Read Next

October 23, 2025
US solar manufacturer T1 Energy sold approximately 725MW of solar modules in Q3 2025, as it continues to expand US manufacturing capabilities.
October 22, 2025
Recurrent Energy, Ampliform and Dimension Energy have announced new financing rounds this month for US solar projects.
October 22, 2025
Leeward Renewable Energy has started commercial operations at its 177MW Ridgely solar project in the US state of Tennessee.
October 22, 2025
US thin-film manufacturer First has revealed another transfer of its 45X manufacturing tax credits in a deal worth around US$775 million.
October 22, 2025
Abigail Ross Hopper, the president and CEO of US trade association the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), has decided to step down from her roles at the end of January 2026.
October 21, 2025
Cypress Creek Renewables has achieved financial close on its 75MW Sundance solar-plus-storage project in Elbert County, Colorado.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
Solar Media Events
March 10, 2026
Frankfurt, Germany
Solar Media Events
March 24, 2026
Lisbon, Portugal