Existing law imposes certain requirements on solar installation companies that sell and install distributed generation systems in this State. Existing law prescribes certain contractual requirements for an agreement for the purchase or lease of a distributed generation system and a power purchase agreement. (NRS 598.9801-598.9822) Sections 14.1-14.3 and 14.5 of this bill define certain terms for the purposes of these provisions governing such agreements. Section 14.4 of this bill makes a power purchase agreement voidable by the host customer for a certain period if the solar installation company that is a party to the agreement does not hold the proper contractor's license or is not acting within the monetary limit of that license. Section 21.5 of this bill makes a conforming change so that the provisions of sections 14.1-14.4 are enforced in the same manner as other provisions governing solar installation companies and distributed generation systems. Sections 15-20 of this bill require an agreement for the lease or purchase of a distributed generation system, a power purchase agreement and the cover page for such agreements to: (1) contain certain disclosures concerning the solar installation company; (2) provide certain information about the parts of the distributed generation system; and (3) impose certain duties and liabilities on lessees, purchasers and host customers. Existing law requires a solar installation company to maintain a recording of certain communications with a purchaser, lessee or host customer for not less than 4 years after the final inspection of the distributed generation system of the purchaser, lessee or host customer. (NRS 598.98213) Section 21 of this bill requires the solar installation company to provide a copy of that recording within 10 business days after receipt of a request from the purchaser, lessee, host customer, distributed generation system financier, Attorney General, Division of Financial Institutions of the Department of Business and Industry, State Contractors' Board, Housing Division of the Department of Business and Industry or a law enforcement agency. If the solar installation company fails to do so, the lease or purchase agreement or power purchase agreement is voidable by the purchaser, lessee or host customer. Section 21 also requires a solar installation company to submit proof to the purchaser, lessee or host customer that the solar installation company is properly licensed before the commencement of the installation of a distributed generation system. Existing law sets forth a prohibition against covenants, restrictions or conditions contained in deeds, contracts or other legal instruments which prohibit or unreasonably restrict an owner of a property from using a system for obtaining solar energy on his or her property. (NRS 111.239, 278.0208) Section 13.3 of this bill sets forth a process by which a unit's owner in a unit-owners' association whose governing documents authorize the association to impose restrictions on architectural improvements may submit a request to install a distributed generation system. Section 13.3 prohibits such a unit's owner from installing a distributed generation system unless the association approves the request. Section 13.7 of this bill authorizes an association whose governing documents authorize the association to impose restrictions on architectural improvements to adopt rules and regulations concerning the installation of a distributed generation system and sets forth the required and authorized contents of such rules and regulations. Under section 13.3, if such an association has not adopted such rules and regulations, the association is prohibited from denying the request of a unit's owner to install a distributed generation system or imposing conditions upon the installation. Section 13.7 additionally prohibits certain activities of an association with respect to certain accessories for a distributed generation system. Existing law sets forth various requirements for: (1) net metering, which is defined under existing law to mean the measure of the difference between the electricity supplied by an electric utility and the electricity generated by a customer-generator that is fed back to the utility; and (2) a net metering system, which is defined under existing law to mean, in general, certain facilities or systems for the generation of electricity, including a facility or energy system installed on the premises of a customer-generator that uses solar energy to generate electricity and meets certain other requirements. (NRS 704.766-704.776) Section 25 of this bill imposes certain timing requirements upon a public utility for the carrying out of certain requests relating to a net metering system submitted by a customer-generator. Section 28 of this bill requires the regulations adopted by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada relating to net metering tariffs and standard net metering contracts to set forth procedures and requirements concerning the process for applying for and installing a net metering system, which must include: (1) reasonable and appropriate timelines for the process; and (2) the requirement for a utility that denies the application of a net metering applicant to provide to the net metering applicant a notice detailing the reasons for the denial. Existing law: (1) requires a net metering system to meet certain safety and quality standards; and (2) if the net metering system meets those standards, prohibits a utility from requiring the customer-generator to comply with additional standards or requirements or take certain other actions solely because of his or her status as a customer-generator. (NRS 704.774) Section 29 of this bill additionally requires a customer-generator to obtain all necessary permits and approvals required by any governmental entity for the installation of his or her net metering system and install the net metering system in compliance with the permits and approvals. Under section 29, a utility is prohibited from imposing various additional requirements if the customer-generator satisfies such requirements and the net metering system complies with the safety standards set forth under existing law.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 675.020, 675.060, 97.125, 598.9809, 598.9811, 598.9813, 598.9814, 598.9816, 598.9817, 598.98213, 598.98216, 704.061, 704.767, 704.773, 704.774
Reprint 1: 598.9809, 598.9811, 598.9813, 598.9814, 598.9816, 598.9817, 598.98213, 704.767, 704.773, 704.774
Reprint 2: 598.9801, 598.9809, 598.9811, 598.9813, 598.9814, 598.9816, 598.9817, 598.98213, 598.9822, 704.767, 704.773, 704.774
As Enrolled: 598.9801, 598.9809, 598.9811, 598.9813, 598.9814, 598.9816, 598.9817, 598.98213, 598.9822, 704.767, 704.773, 704.774
BDR: 675.020, 675.060, 97.125, 598.9809, 598.9811, 598.9813, 598.9814, 598.9816, 598.9817, 598.98213, 598.98216, 704.061, 704.767, 704.773, 704.774