National Solar Week: Las Vegas Ranks As 12th Best In U.S.A. For Solar

The final week of March is National Solar Week. With that in mind, let’s see how we compare with other cities in the nation when it comes to solar energy viability.

Here in Southern Nevada, we get used to seeing lots of sunshine. In fact, when we get a rainy day, it’s a nice change of pace for most of us. So, it makes sense that Las Vegas is one of the top cities in the nation for solar energy viability.

However, we’re not at the very top. Las Vegas ranks 12^th in the nation according to a study done by RoofGnome.com. This company “connect[s] homeowners with the best solar panel providers, installers, and repairers in the area.”

Whether or not you’re interested in solar energy for your home, it’s good to know we’re the top city in Nevada. In fact, Henderson ranks 33^rd, North Las Vegas 66^th, Reno 166^th, and Sparks 206^th.

How did RoofGnome.com determine these rankings? They use metrics such as incentives for installing solar energy panels, number of viable roofs, solar-friendly climate, energy potential, equipment and installation availability, affordability, and impact on the environment. That's according to an article by Richie Bernardo on RoofGnome.com.

When you look at the map for the 50 best cities for solar energy viability, it becomes quite clear that the vast majority are located in the southwest U.S. As a matter of fact, only 6 cities show up east of the Mississippi. Moreover, four of those six are in Florida.

So, which cities rank higher than Las Vegas for solar energy potential? Not surprisingly, Phoenix, Arizona ranks first in the nation according to RoofGnome.com. After that, Houston, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Antonio, Scottsdale, San Jose, Mesa, Albuquerque, El Paso, and Fresno rank second through 12^th respectively.

To sum things up, if you’re looking to install solar panels to try and alleviate those high energy bills, you live in a good area.

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Over the last year and half, Nevada residents have seen energy rates rising higher and higher. Both our power and gas bills have seen significant increases. So we could all use a few tips to help cut the costs of those monthly bills. Especially during the hot summer months in Las Vegas.

We saw the first rate hike in the fall of 2022. And then another January of 2023. Total increase during that time alone was 20%. And the rates of increased even more since then. The cost of natural fuel is the reason behind the hike. When the utility companies have to pay more for the product, then in turn have to charge more.

Related: Nevada Tops List Of States In U.S. With Most Expensive Childcare

But even when the rates go down, it doesn't mean they will stay there. So it's a good idea to get smart about our utility usage. Every year, National Cut Your Energy Costs Day is observed in January. The day focuses on information designed to help homeowners and business owners. With information involving reducing energy costs and increasing energy efficiency.

One of the most important things to do is to start with a plan. The National Day Calendar suggests starting with things you can do right now. Including lowering your thermostats and your fridge and freezer temps. And lowering the temperature on your hot water heater from 140 to 120 can save you 10% on your bill. You can also get into the habit of turning lights off when you leave a room and unplugging appliances when not using them.

The second part of the plan is to make a list of long term things to improve on in your home in the future. Then working slowly toward those goals. Every step gets your home or business closer to total efficiency and lower bills all year long.

You can call your energy company and ask for an audit of your home. A pro will come out and assess where your home is losing energy. Sometimes they'll even provide this service for free. Nevada Energy does provide this service without charging and you can get started now here. They even have free smart thermostats that they'll install for free by their professionals.

There are other long-term goals you can work toward to lower your energy costs for good. We've gathered the best ideas from National Day Calendar, Nerdwallet, and other sources to save on your energy bill this year and in years to come.

Check the seals on all your windows, doors and on your fridge and freezer. Just a small crack in the seal can let air out and waste energy. Sometimes just some caulking can do the trick. Other times you'll have to purchase a replacement seal. Both quick fixes with money-saving results.

One of the quickest ways to save on your energy bill is to swap out your incandescent light bulbs for more energy-efficient ones. Nerdwallet says that doing this in just your five most-used lights can save you $75 a year on your bill. Imagine what swapping them all would do! Look for compact fluorescent or LED bulbs that have the Energy Star label.

Leaky ducts can let a lot of hot and cold air escape, raising your energy bills all year long. Check your heating, air conditioning and ventilation ducts and repair any leaks for a more efficient system and a lower power bill.

Electronics, particularly those with a remote control, still use power when they're off, mostly because they're in standby mode waiting for your command. Plugging these devices into a smart power strip will cut the circulation of power when the machines aren't powered on.

If you have lighted areas that you don't need full power for, put them on a dimmer switch. Lower levels means you use less power. An electrician can do these switches rather quickly. And the investment will pay off in the end.

There are a couple of ways to save money in the shower. Taking a shower that's just two minutes shorter than your norm can lead to lower energy bill. Since your water heater doesn't need to work as hard. The other way to save money in the shower is by replacing your shower head with one donning the WaterSense label will ensure it meets the efficiency criteria set by the Environmental Protection Agency.

If you're washing underwear, socks, or bedding that has been used by a sick person, hot water washes are most-effective. For almost everything else (unless the fabric specifically mentions hot water), use cold water in the washing machine. It will lower your energy bill significantly by not having to heat that water.

Another way to save money in both the washing machine and the dishwasher is to never run a load that isn't full. Whether you have one item or fifty, the same amount of water is used. So wait until you have a full load to hit that start button.

For a longer-term solution, look for a washer with the EnergyStar label the next time you're shopping for new appliances. If you want to start on your home's efficiency before you need to, start replacing your appliances that you use most often. Over time, you'll start to see the savings really add up. Here's another place Nevada Energy might be able to help you out. Their Power Shift program offers these appliances for free to costumers who qualify. Get more info here.

Larry Martino is the long-time afternoon drive personality on 96.3 KKLZ. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of Larry Martino and not necessarily those of Beasley Media Group, LLC.

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