Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is supporting advocates for Nevada’s solar industry as the state’s Democratic presidential contest approaches. The Vermont senator met activists in Reno on Saturday and criticized a decision by Nevada regulators to increase rates for rooftop solar customers.  Solar companies in Nevada have been laying off workers because of the pending rate increase. Regulators decided Friday to introduce the higher rates more slowly. The increase is meant to phase out a subsidy that regulators say traditional customers pay to support solar users.