LETTERS: Solar needs to become competitive, without subsidies

Solar subsidies

Patricia Carrell complains in her letter that after going to considerable expense to install rooftop solar to combat "soaring" energy bills, the Nevada Public Utilities Commission just might allow NV Energy to reduce the credit she is paid for any excess energy her solar system generates ("Net-metering rates," Sunday Review-Journal). To set the record straight, NV Energy charges about the same per kilowatt hour as the national average, so "soaring" for her is likely average for the rest of us.

Taxpayers and ratepayers already subsidized — at great expense — 30 percent of the cost her solar installation. Many installations cost $30,000 or more, so we are not talking about chump change.

Adding insult to injury, Ms. Carrell wants NV Energy (in other words, its ratepayers) to further subsidize her system by paying her retail price for excess kilowatt generation that may or not be needed. NV Energy can get all the additional power it needs on the wholesale market for 50 percent less than retail.

Sometime soon, residential solar needs to become competitive without all these subsidies. The sooner subsidies go away, the sooner the industry will either learn how to compete in the marketplace or simply go away. In the meantime, you can bet that rooftop solar companies are reaping the profits, while solar consumers are left with nothing except a lot of expensive equipment generating a minimal or no return on investment. Unless you consider the subsidies.

Richard Rychtarik

Las Vegas

Clean energy leader

Nations across the world have reached a historic climate change agreement in Paris that seeks to limit the climate effects of long-lived greenhouse gases in the atmosphere ("Obama calls Paris pact 'best chance' to save the planet," Sunday Review-Journal). Nevada, with its clear blue skies and abundant solar resources, is poised to benefit from intensive investment and innovation in a low-carbon future. The scientific, engineering and intellectual resources of Nevada are ready to start now.

We can continue our efforts with effective public policy that encourages homeowner- and utility-scale solar systems, and by supporting new and existing industries that develop or employ smart technologies such as battery power storage and electric vehicles. Nevadans can start planning now on how to leverage our entrepreneurial talent to grow the low-carbon economy via solar, geothermal and wind resources, and participate as a global leader in alternative energy.

Matthew Lachniet

Las Vegas

— The author is a professor of geoscience at UNLV, with a focus on climate science.

Award-winning letter

If awards were given for best letters to the editor, Rick Ainsworth would take first place for his submission ("College complainers," Dec. 7 Review-Journal). It is a shame that these college students, people with little or no real-life experience, get the recognition they do.

Lev Schneiderman

Las Vegas