NV Energy is now saying it wants to allow customers who already have solar panels, or who applied for them before the end of last year, to keep more favorable rates for up to 20 years. The company issued a statement, just after the Nevada PUC voted to keep discussing the possibility of “grandfathering” existing customers into lower rates. Commissioners approved new rates effective Jan. 1 that raise a base solar service charge, and lowered payments for solar panel users who sell excess energy back to the grid. NV Energy says its proposal will balance the interests of solar and traditional customers.

Meanwhile, the Public Utilities Commission approved three renewable energy agreements, that add 129 megawatts of solar generation capacity in Nevada and bolster the efforts of Apple and Switch, to operate their Nevada data centers with 100 percent green energy.  The PUC approved applications for power purchase agreements to build two new solar plants- the 79-megawatt Playa Solar 1 project owned by First Solar and the 50-megawatt Boulder Solar II facility owned by SunPower. Both projects will be located in Clark County near existing solar facilities.

The solar dispute in Nevada may be resolved by voters. Rooftop solar company SolarCity is backing a petition that could take power away from the energy regulators at the Nevada Public Utilities Commission.