Nevada farmers and ranchers who invest in renewable energy are now eligible for cash incentives from NV Energy, the electric utility for most of northern Nevada.

They can earn incentives through two new programs administered by the utility — WindGenerations and HydroGenerations — that provide agricultural electricity users incentives to offset installation costs for wind turbines and small-scale “micro” hydroelectric generating plants.

The new programs are an expansion of the company’s five-year-old SolarGenerations program, which provides similar cash incentives to offset costs for photovoltaic solar panels.

NV Energy’s WindGenerations incentives for all NV Energy customers using wind power and the rebates can offset up to 60 percent of the cost of the installed system. HydroGenerations incentives for agricultural customers are paid by NV Energy according to the size of system installed.

Together these programs are called RenewableGenerations to cover solar, wind and hydro power.

NV Energy provides assistance to customers and contractors through workshops, education, outreach events and individual consultation.

“Renewable resources, such as solar, wind and hydro power, are an integral part of our energy supply strategy,” said John Hargrove, program manager for energy efficiency and conservation for NV Energy. “These projects deliver benefits on many levels: they reduce energy bills, strengthen the electric grid, help the environment and increase our energy independence by taking advantage of abundant natural energy sources right in our own backyard.”

For more information about wind, hydroelectric or solar incentives, call RenewableGenerations at 1-866-786-3823; e-mail renewablegenerations@nvenergy.com; or visit www.nvenergy. com/renewablegenerations.