Through the end of October, eligible NV Energy customers can apply for the company’s Expanded Solar Access Program, called ESAP. The program makes tapping into solar energy a possibility at no added cost, with no solar panels required. Low-income eligible customers are guaranteed a lower rate for energy than the standard rate.
Applications opened online at nvenergy.com/esap over the weekend. The deadline to apply is October 31, 2024. Current ESAP participants will receive correspondence to update their documentation to remain in the program for 2025.
Current program participants are saving between eight and 13 percent on the consumption line charge of their bill. Program enrollment has grown steadily since applications first opened in the fall 2021 for the 2022 calendar year. In 2024, almost 8,000 customers across three categories are participating in the program and reaping the benefits and savings.
Three categories of customers are eligible for the program:
• Low-Income: Eligible customers in this category are guaranteed a lower rate for energy than the standard rate. Low-income customers must show proof of income and may not have an income of more than 80 percent of the Area Median Income based on guidelines published by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
• Disadvantaged Business or Nonprofit Organization: Nonprofits must have documentation certifying tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service. Disadvantaged businesses include businesses for which 50% or more of the owners are women, veterans, members of a racial or ethnic minority group or otherwise part of a traditionally underrepresented group and none of the owners have a net worth of more than $250,000.
• Eligible Premise: A residential customer who cannot install solar resources on their premises due to physical or ownership constraints are considered eligible premise customers. Income is not considered in this category.
Applying to ESAP does not guarantee enrollment. Each ESAP customer category has a set annual kilowatt-hour (kWh) capacity limit. If NV Energy does not receive enough eligible applicants to fill the capacity limit (based on each customer’s 12-month usage history), all eligible applicants will be approved and enrolled in the program. If the number of eligible applicants exceeds the capacity limit for a category, a lottery will be held in December to select applicants to participate in the program.