Renewable energy experts will be touring rural Nevada in March with information for farmers, ranchers and small business owners about incentive programs and grants that can lower their costs for installing solar panels, wind turbines or small hydroelectric systems.

The tour will be in Winnemucca on Thursday, March 18 at the Winnemucca Convention Center. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet local contractors and consultants who design and install small renewable energy power systems. Information about renewable power generation will be available at vendor displays. 

"Our goal is to reach out to farmers, ranchers and small businesses in rural communities to make sure they know about the rebates offered through our RenewableGenerations program and renewable energy grants available through the USDA," said John Hargrove, project manager for energy efficiency and conservation at NV Energy. "This combination of rebates and grants, as well as federal tax incentives, makes renewable energy more affordable than it was previously."

Hargrove said that since the start of NV Energy’s SolarGenerations program six years ago, 565 photovoltaic projects capable of generating 3.8 megawatts of electricity have been installed statewide and $13.6 million has been paid in rebates to program participants. Similar rebate programs are available to NV Energy electric customers who install wind turbines or small hydroelectric generators.

Since the start of the WindGenerations program in 2008, 33 projects that generate a combined total of 105 kilowatts have been installed statewide, and $266,800 in incentives has been paid.

Representatives from NV Energy’s RenewableGenerations program; the Nevada Wind Working Group, a wind power advocacy group; and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will make presentations at free Renewable Energy Workshops in Fallon, Carson City, Yerington, Elko and Winnemucca..

Lunch will be served at the workshops, and anyone planning on attending should RSVP online at http://www.NVEnergy.com/renewablersvp or call (866)786-3823.