Best Solar Companies in Henderson, NV

With professional installation, a typical residential solar panel system costs $32,487 in Henderson. That doesn’t include a solar battery, which can add $7,000 to $18,000 to your total system costs.

The size of your solar panel system is a big solar cost factor in Nevada. The average Nevada household needs a system with a capacity of 13.28 kW to fully offset their electricity costs. You might need a smaller or larger system, depending on your household energy use.

Most installers set the price according to the system's wattage, with a typical cost between $2.50 and $5 per watt. “Cost per watt” is like looking at the price per square foot when you buy a house. It helps you compare the value of solar energy systems in different sizes. In Henderson, the average cost per watt is $2.41.

Solar panel costs by system size in Henderson

Solar panels are generally worth it in Nevada if you like the idea of lowering your monthly utility bills. On average, Henderson homeowners with solar panels can avoid $69,323 in total utility costs over 25 years.

But it doesn’t work out for everyone. Your savings will depend on your energy use, system size, financing and net metering credits. We suggest using NLR’s PVWatts Calculator to estimate how much electricity a system can produce over a year on your house.

Even though the state has gone back and forth on net metering rates over the last decade or so, the program will still be worth it for many Henderson residents.

Real-world examples

Dana in Henderson said rising NV Energy bills led them to go solar with a Sunrun power purchase agreement. After some early system issues, they said their panels were producing more electricity than they used, helping them build up bill credits and often leaving only a small NV Energy charge.

Financing can make things more complicated if you sell your home.

Beverly in North Las Vegas and Claudine in Henderson both said they ran into problems transferring their solar loans to buyers. Claudine said they had to pay down part of the balance to finish the sale.

Getting solar panels is like buying a car. You could pay cash, but many people finance through a loan. Leases and PPAs could be good options if you don’t want to take on debt or be responsible for system maintenance.

• Solar loans work like any other type of home improvement loan. There’s an application and approval process. You pay it back over time (with interest) each month.

• Leasing solar panels lets you set up a system without the high upfront costs. Monthly payments usually range $150 to $250. Agreements last 20 to 25 years.

• Power purchase agreements are similar to leases. A solar company owns and maintains the system, and you pay an agreed-upon rate for the electricity it produces. Agreements usually last 10 to 25 years.

» SOLAR PANELS: Buy vs. lease

The 30% federal tax credit has expired, and there are relatively few residential solar incentives in Nevada.

If you go solar in Henderson, your system may earn portfolio energy credits (PECs) based on how much electricity it produces.

For most homeowners, net metering is the simpler benefit because it directly lowers your electric bill. Before signing a contract, check whether you or the solar company will own the PECs.

What to know about net metering in Henderson

If your solar panels produce more electricity than you use, net metering lets you send the extra power to the grid for bill credits.

Henderson homeowners served by NV Energy can get bill credits for extra solar power sent to the grid. For new residential systems up to 25 kW, excess power is generally credited at 75% of the retail electricity rate.

That 75% credit level is locked in for 20 years at the property. The actual dollar value of the credit can still change as NV Energy’s retail electricity rates change.

Here’s what that means for homeowners with solar panels:

• Solar power you use at home directly lowers how much electricity you buy from NV Energy.

• Extra power sent to the grid earns a credit worth 75% of the retail rate.

• Unused credits can carry forward to future bills.

Because power you use yourself is worth more than power you send back, it usually makes sense to size your system around your actual electricity use.

In our experience, the best solar companies in Nevada have a few things in common: lots of experience, reliable equipment and transparent contracts. Here are some hiring tips.

• Read reviews: Research the company's track record and read reviews. Look out for red flags — complaints about misleading sales tactics, equipment failures, billing issues and lack of communication are common themes in negative solar company reviews. Companies with plenty of experience installing solar panels in Henderson are better at navigating the local regulations, permits and available financial incentives.

• Check certifications: Nevada contractors need the proper classification to perform solar panel installations. Ask for their license number and verify it through the Nevada State Contractors Board’s online database. The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) has a National Solar Licensing Database that lists the latest licensing, certification and other requirements impacting the solar industry. We also recommend choosing an installer certified through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).

• Look out for scams: One of the most common solar scams involves fake companies that sell panel systems without any intention of really installing them. The other one is falsely claiming to be affiliated with state agencies. The Nevada State Contractors Board is helpful for dealing with any potential solar scams.

• Ask questions: Do I need a solar storage battery, electric vehicle (EV) charger or critter guards? How does this affect overall pricing? What if my system needs maintenance? Then, carefully review the proposal. If you don’t understand something about the payment terms, warranty or ongoing services, ask for clarification.

» TIPS: Get the best solar quotes