By LAS VEGAS — Following the decision by Governor Brian Sandoval’s Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) to terminate Nevada’s rooftop solar industry just days before Christmas, Go Solar, a locally owned electrical company, was forced to eliminate more than 17 jobs in Las Vegas and drastically reduce the hours of 10 others.
The PUCN’s decision to change the rules to punish existing solar customers after the state and NV Energy encouraged them to go solar with rebates and “community solar events” is particularly callous and leaves Nevadans to question whether the state and its elected leaders would ever place the financial security of regular citizens above the financial interests of NV Energy.
“Myself and other local solar business men and women have been advocating and educating the community, students, and policy makers for over 2 years. We traveled to Carson City at our own expense during session and spoke one on one with numerous lawmakers in which the recent PUCN decision was never envisioned.
The local solar business community is perplexed when we hear Senator Farley, Governor Sandoval, and others say ‘the Nevada solar industry agreed with sending this decision to the PUCN.’ I assure Nevadans, no one consulted with any of the local solar business people despite our attempts to be part of the process,” said Scott Shaw, Director of Research and Development at Go Solar. “We are still waiting to hear from our elected lawmakers and are convinced they and the Commission will do the right thing once they realize the true impact of this flawed decision.”
“Having to tell employees, who are like family, in this family-owned business that we no longer have work for them has been one of the most difficult things we’ve ever done. These were employees who have helped build our business during some of Nevada’s worst economic years,” continued Scott Shaw. “These are very dedicated Nevadans with families to support. This is not what they expected from their elected government.”
About Go Solar:
Go Solar is a family owned business that specializes in residential/commercial solar pv, HVAC, weatherization, and commercial LED lighting. Go Solar opened its doors in 2009 with 4 employees during hard economic times in Nevada and through hard work and determination grew to employ over 50 people by 2015.
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