It looks like Nevada is open for rooftop solar again, thanks to the passage of Assembly Bill 405 by both bodies of the Nevada Legislature, which would reinstate net-metering policies and rates for rooftop solar customers throughout the state. With that move major solar installers, among them Sunrun and SolarCity are reentering the state, Now, Vivint Solar announced that it will, once again, open operations across Nevada, bringing 80 to 100 jobs to the state.

"We are very pleased Nevada officials have recognized the broad public support of rooftop solar and reestablished the state's commitment to the future of renewable energy," said David Bywater, CEO of Vivint Solar. "This bill demonstrates the power of building consensus across stakeholders to find a win-win-win solution for the residential solar industry, utilities and Nevada consumers. We look forward to bringing jobs, consumer choice and affordable solar power back to the state of Nevada."

Unanimously passed by the state Senate with a 21 to 0 AB 405 is now awaiting the expected signature and support of Gov. Brian Sandoval (R). The bill will ensure rooftop solar customers receive reimbursement for excess power their rooftop solar systems generate at 95 percent of the retail electricity rate set by state regulators. The net-metering rate will drop over time as more rooftop solar capacity is installed. The bill also includes a consumer bill of rights, which protects customers from inaccurate public utility rates, minimum warranty requirements and increased transparency of contract disclosure terms. 

“In Nevada and across the country, overwhelming majorities of Republican and Democratic voters alike want more solar powering their communities, and it’s exciting to see Nevada’s elected officials standing strong for their constituents by standing strong for clean energy. We thank Nevada’s lawmakers for making clean energy innovation, job creation and security a priority in this year’s legislative session,” said Jessica Scott, Interior West director for Vote Solar.

Vivint has recently made quite a few moves to expand it operations in US in the first half of 2017. The company recently secured $100 million in tax equity commitments from investors that will enable the company to install 70 megawatts of residential rooftop installations for approximately 10,000 new customers across its 16 state service territory. Having announced that it has reached a landmark 100,000 customers, the company also has plans to open kiosks at retail locations in New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, California and Utah by the end of June 2017 and in additional states by the end of the year.