Wind power financial incentive increased

NV Energy recently increased the financial incentives for its WindGenerations program, encouraging Nevadans to install wind turbines at their homes and businesses. By doubling the cap on the total amount of kilowatts that can qualify them for financial incentives, NV Energy residential customers could earn rebates for a maximum of 60 kilowatts of wind-generated power.

"As the wind portion of our RenewableGenerations program begins to pick up speed, we are raising these caps on incentives to continue to support the industry and the needs of our customers," said John Hargrove, project manager for energy efficiency and conservation at NV Energy. "We hope the increase in caps will result in customers installing larger wind turbine projects. They can be very cost effective and it just makes sense to help move these types of projects along."

The kilowatts ceiling has been raised from 30 kilowatts to 60 kilowatts for residential customers, to 250 kilowatts for small businesses, and 500 kilowatts for agricultural customers. Wind projects were previously limited to 50 kilowatts for schools and public buildings, but the limit has been increased to 250 kilowatts and 500 kilowatts, respectively.

For residential, small business and agricultural customers, the incentive rate is $2.50 per watt for the first 10 kW and $1.50 per watt for all watts over the first 10 kilowatts. The incentive rate for schools and public buildings is $3 per watt for the first 10 kilowatts and $2 per watt for all watts over the first 10 kilowatts. The total incentive for any project cannot exceed 60 percent of the total installed system cost.

NV Energy introduced the WindGenerations program to its 1.2 million Nevada electric customers in August of 2008. Since then, 25 projects generating 72.2 kilowatts have been completed, and applications are pending for another 67 installations. Thus far, $235,800 in incentives has been paid to program participants.

The company's solar power incentive program, SolarGenerations, was introduced in 2004. The Nevada State Legislature created the wind program in 2007, along with a program to offer incentives to agricultural customers who install small hydroelectric generating plants.

For more information about WindGenerations and other renewable energy programs, visit NVEnergy.com.