Resources for energy-smart choices
Solar & Green Energy
Learn, compare, and plan your next energy-smart upgrade.
Start with incentives + basics
Curious about solar? Thinking about greener building choices, but not sure where to start? You’re in the right place.
We built this page as a learning hub—simple, useful, and practical. Whether you’re exploring solar for the first time, wondering what “net zero” really means, or just trying to make smarter choices one project at a time, we’ll point you toward solid resources and a clear way to think about the options.
Learn About Solar Energy
Solar can feel complicated at first—panels, production, credits, payback, sizing, roofs, and a dozen new acronyms. The fastest way to get comfortable is to start with the basics, then work outward into incentives and design decisions.
A key local note: NV Energy offers credits for adding solar systems to your home. If you’re looking for the current details, you can start here:
- NV Energy solar incentives/credits: https://www.nvenergy.com/save-with-powershift/renewable-energy/solar/solar-incentives
As you learn, keep a running list of your questions (for example: “What would I want solar to cover?” or “What changes if we remodel first?”). Solar planning is often easiest when you treat it like part of a bigger home-performance picture rather than a bolt-on afterthought.
Mainstream, practical upgrades
Going Green? Start Where It Matters
“Going green” doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Green homes have come a long way in the last few decades, and what used to feel “alternative” is now far more mainstream.
Research highlighted on our site notes that in 2015, nearly one third of home builders (31%) reported doing green builds for more than 60% of their projects, and over half (51%) expected to be doing that level of green building work by 2020. It also noted that over 80% of builders expected that by 2020 more than 16% of the homes they build would be green housing—plus there has been enormous growth in green home remodeling work, too.
What that means for you: you have more choices than ever. Materials, products, and approaches that improve efficiency and reduce impact are easier to find and easier to compare—often without turning your whole project into an extreme science experiment.
Net Zero & Certified Green Homes: Interest Areas, Not Requirements
If you’re dreaming about a net zero home or exploring the idea of a certified green home, it’s an exciting time to research those paths. With the expanding green home market, there are many options that can improve home quality, reduce energy costs, protect health, and decrease environmental impact.
But here’s the part we want to say out loud: you don’t have to hit the strictest standard to make meaningful progress. Net Zero Energy homes are often described as so efficient that they can produce more energy than they use—but green building isn’t only worth it at that finish line.
You can:
- choose greener elements that fit your budget today,
- prioritize efficiency where it makes the biggest difference,
- and keep improving over time.
That approach is not “less than.” It’s realistic—and it’s how a lot of great projects get done.
Costs, Value, and the “Build Smaller” Reality Check
We’re big believers in doing the math and staying honest about tradeoffs. One of the most straightforward green-building ideas is also one of the least flashy:
Build smaller.
A smaller, well-designed home can make it easier (and sometimes dramatically more affordable) to reach your efficiency goals, because every system—heating, cooling, lighting, materials—has less area and volume to serve.
The research referenced on our site also notes reported costs for green building new homes have gone down even as more green elements are incorporated. Builders reported the cost differential to “go green” at 10%, compared to 11% in 2006.
In addition, dropping costs in green technology have helped make green housing a popular investment and available to more homeowners. Many green home products and technologies can now be purchased in local hardware stores, and even large homebuilders have been offering green options across price levels.
The takeaway: green choices are increasingly approachable—but you’ll still get the best result when your goals, design, and budget are aligned from the start.
Use This Page as Your Launchpad
If you’re here to learn, browse, and collect reliable starting points, you’re using this page exactly as intended.
And if you’d rather talk through your goals—solar curiosity, green elements, or long-term efficiency planning—reach out through our Contact page. We’re always glad to help you think through what’s realistic now and what’s smart to phase in over time.