Solar & Green Energy
Learn about solar, greener building, and practical next steps for your home.
Start with the basics
If you’re exploring solar energy or greener building elements for a new home or remodel, you’re in the right place. I put this page together as a simple learning hub—no pressure, no jargon for jargon’s sake—just solid themes and a few trustworthy starting points to help you make sense of what “going green” can mean for your goals.
Some people land here because they want lower energy costs. Others want a healthier home. Some are dreaming about a net zero home or a certified green home. And plenty of homeowners simply want to add a few smart green elements and keep moving forward over time. All of those approaches are valid.
Learn About Solar Energy
Solar can feel complicated at first—equipment, incentives, net metering, payback, and a lot of opinions. The best way to start is by getting clear on the basics and then checking your local utility’s current programs.
One local starting point: NV Energy offers credits for adding solar systems to your home. You can review current incentives directly through NV Energy so you’re looking at the most up-to-date info before you make any decisions.
As you learn, keep your focus on a few big-picture questions:
- What are you trying to improve first—monthly bills, comfort, resilience, environmental impact, or all of the above?
- Are you thinking “solar only,” or “solar plus efficiency” (often a stronger combination)?
- Do you want a big leap all at once, or smaller steps you can build on?
Mainstream and growing
Going Green?
Green homes have come a long way in the last few decades. What used to feel “alternative” is increasingly mainstream—and it keeps getting greener.
According to research conducted by Dodge Data & Analytics, in partnership with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), in 2015 nearly one third of home builders (31%) reported they were doing green builds for more than 60% of their projects, and over half (51%) expected to reach that level by 2020. More than 80% of builders expected that by 2020 more than 16% of homes they build would be green housing. There’s also been enormous growth in green remodeling work.
What that means for you: there are more options than ever—whether you’re aiming high (net zero or certified) or just choosing greener elements that make sense.
Choose your level
Net Zero, Certified Green, or “Greener Than Before”
This is good news for people who are interested in building the home of their dreams as a net zero home or certified green home, or simply as a home with green home elements.
With an expanding green home market, consumers have more ways to improve the quality of their home, reduce energy costs, protect their health, and decrease environmental impact. And here’s the part I like to emphasize: you don’t have to do everything at once.
Building a greener home does not mean you have to conform to the strictest requirements or make your home Net Zero Energy (where it produces more energy than it uses). You can aim to continue improving efficiency and environmental impact over time—making choices that work with your budget today and still move you toward a greener home.
Costs, Trends, and Why It’s Getting Easier
A common worry is that “green” automatically means “out of reach.” But reported costs for green building new homes have gone down even as more green building elements are being incorporated.
Builders report that the cost differential to go green is now 10%, compared to 11% in 2006. Dropping costs in green technology are helping make green housing a popular investment and available to more homeowners. Many green products and technologies can now be purchased right in a local hardware store, and even well-known national homebuilders increasingly offer green options at many price levels.
Going Green? Build Smaller
One of the most overlooked “green” moves is also one of the simplest: build smaller.
A right-sized home can be easier to heat and cool, can reduce material use, and can make it easier to invest in higher-value upgrades where they matter most. Smaller doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort—it often means planning smarter: better layout, better storage, and better use of every square foot.
A Practical Next Step
If you’re still in the research phase, start by:
- Reading up on solar basics and verifying current incentives (including NV Energy’s solar credits).
- Picking your “first priority” (comfort, energy cost, health, environmental impact) so your choices stay aligned.
- Thinking in phases—what you can do now, and what you can do later.
When you’re ready, bring your questions. I’m always happy to talk through green building themes and help you think clearly about what makes sense for your home and your goals.