LAS VEGAS - A Nevada solar power rebate program generated a capacity response in its first two weeks, along with a complaint from one firm that missed a chance to recover costs of installing alternative electrical systems for its customers.
Cathy Geever of the Free Energy Store in Las Vegas, said a request by Nevada Power Co. for more information made her company too late to get on a list for $230,000 in rebates for about 45 residential and commercial customers. She alleged that contractors with "special connections" got on the list.
Nevada Power conservation program chief Bob Balzar said the program began Aug. 1 and was fully subscribed by Aug. 13 under a first-come, first-served method approved by the Nevada Renewable Energy Task Force.
Balzar said complaining contractors didn't act fast enough.
The SolarGenerations rebate program was established under a state law calling for Las Vegas-based Nevada Power and its sister utility, Sierra Pacific Power Co. of Reno, to rebate up to $25,000 for qualifying residential customers and up to $150,000 to commercial businesses.
