Sparks' Solar Program Running Out of Money

BY DAVID JACOBS • DJACOBS@RGJ.COM • JUNE 25, 2010
Sparks’ effort to be a leader in renewable energy is running into funding stumbling blocks, prompting the city to reach out to the Nevada Public Utilities Commission for help.
Earlier this year, a rooftop solar project debuted at the Larry D. Johnson Community Center, kicking off what was envisioned as a series of projects at city sites, including the police department, Golden Eagle Regional Park, and the city’s recreation gym off Richards Way.

The city received rebates from NV Energy’s Solar Generations program and was counting future rebates for various projects, applying rebates from one completed project to the next one and down the line.

Now that plan may be in jeopardy as the result of a bureaucratic maze involving NV Energy and the PUC, complications that have left Sparks’ list of solar projects in limbo.

Money in play
At least $500,000 may be at stake for Sparks, separate from any future solar rebate funding the city hopes to secure.

“Renewable energy generation and energy conservation are two of our main focuses in working toward creating a sustainable city,” Mayor Geno Martini wrote in a letter to PUC Commissioner Rebecca Wagner. “With the unprecedented economic challenges the city has faced and the need to fund basic city services, our sustainability program is completely dependent upon the grant and rebate funding,” Martini said.

Sparks had applied for energy rebates in April with a sense of urgency. The city thought the applications would be handled on a first-come first-served basis statewide. As with other Nevada communities, Sparks was ready at the computer when the application period opened at noon April 21.

“Everyone was submitting applications as fast as they could,” City Engineer Pete Etchart said.
Then, the 30-wait began for the results.

“I’ll be honest, it was disheartening,” Etchart said.
Sparks did not get any rebates as funding rules changed along the way, Etchart said.
NV Energy stands by its decision-making process. Historically first-come first-served has never been the only criteria, NV Energy official John Owens said.