Submitted by Sandra Koch and Tim McFarren

As retirees living on a fixed income in Carson City, we’ve had growing concern watching energy costs continue to rise across Nevada. But nearly two decades ago, we made a decision that has provided us with both financial stability and peace of mind: we installed solar panels on our home.

The very tax credits that made our solar journey possible — and that have helped thousands of families across the state — are now on the chopping block.

Installing solar has allowed us to save thousands. The federal tax credits make solar more accessible to Nevadans—allowing them to save 30% on the cost of the project. Families have only just gotten started using them, and now, Congress wants to pull the plug. If Congress rolls them back, the next generation of Nevada homeowners could be locked out of the solar savings.

We first installed solar in 2006 when NV Energy offered a 50% rebate, and our 36 panels covered nearly all our energy use — shielding us from rising rates. Over time, they lost efficiency, but the savings fully paid for a new roof and the upgraded system we’re now planning. Now, thanks to today’s 30% federal tax credit, we’re installing just 17 high-efficiency panels that will meet 100% of our needs for the next 25 years — something we couldn’t afford without that incentive. If that tax credit disappears, as the House has proposed, our ability to afford this upgrade—and the clean energy future it represents—would have vanished with it.

Across Nevada’s second congressional district, represented by Congressman Mark Amodei, federal renewable energy incentives have generated $11 billion in investment. Already, more than 41,000 Nevada families have benefited from over $151 million in tax credits to lower costs for renewable energy and energy efficiency home upgrades during 2023 alone. Despite these proven benefits to constituents, lawmakers have moved to eliminate the very credits that enable homeowners to invest in solar energy.

These aren’t partisan issues—they’re economic ones. Solar energy puts money back in the pockets of families like ours while strengthening local businesses and creating high-quality jobs with strong wages. Nevada now ranks first in the nation for solar jobs per capita, with over 8,500 people employed in the industry statewide.

As we watch NV Energy repeatedly request rate increases—attempting to pass more costs onto consumers in ways that frankly seem obscene to us—we’re grateful for the energy independence our solar provides. When utility prices go up, our fixed income doesn’t have to stretch further, and our solar panels keep producing.

The solar tax credits make a huge difference between who will or will not be able to install solar on their roof, as we’ve seen firsthand. These credits are named by where they are located in the tax code – this specific credit is 25D. Without these incentives, many Nevada families simply couldn’t afford the upfront investment, despite the long-term savings that come with going solar.

That’s why we’re concerned about efforts to roll back these successful federal renewable energy provisions. We are counting on Senator Cortez Masto and Senator Rosen to support the solar tax credits and oppose any attempts to weaken investments that are already delivering for Nevadans across the political spectrum. We also urge Representative Amodei to support any Senate fix when it comes back to the House.

The “Big Beautiful Bill” from the House has already cast uncertainty over homeowners, contractors, and local clean energy businesses. However, the Senate now has the opportunity to rework the bill in ways that center everyday Americans’ economic well-being by preserving 25D.

Our message to fellow Nevadans is straightforward: solar saves money. Our message to our representatives in Washington is equally clear: support the tax incentives that make solar accessible to more families like ours.

When we installed our first panels nearly 20 years ago, solar was still considered experimental by many. Today, our state produces enough solar energy to power more than 1.3 million Nevada homes. Solar provides over 30% of our state’s electricity. This progress is worth protecting.

For retirees like us—and for working families feeling the pinch of rising costs—solar tax credits are delivering real benefits to real Nevadans every day. This is the success we should continue to build on.

Sandra Koch and Tim McFarren are Carson City residents who have been solar owners since 2006.