As a reminder to all residential solar installers: Nevada has mandatory elements and certain information that must be included in all contracts for work concerning a residential photovoltaic system. More specifically, any contract for work concerning a residential photovoltaic system used to produce electricity must be in writing and must contain at least the following information:

• The name of the contractor, contractor’s license number, and the monetary limit on that license;
• The name and mailing address of the owner of the single-family residence;
• The address or legal description of the property where the work is being performed;
• The date of execution of the contract;
• The estimated completion date for all work;
• A description of the work to be performed under the contract;
• The total amount to be paid to the contractor by the owner of the single-family residence for all work, including all taxes;
• The amount of any initial down payment or deposit paid or promised to be paid to the contractor by the owner before the start of construction (note that the deposit or down payment cannot exceed $1,000 or 10 percent of the total contract price, whichever is less);
• A statement that the contractor has provided the owner of the single-family residence with the notice and informational form required by NRS 624.600;
• A statement that any change in the scope or price of the work must be agreed to in writing by the parties as a change order;
• For a project of new work, a plan and scale drawing showing the shape, size, dimensions, and specifications for the construction and equipment to be used and installed;
• For exclusively repair projects, plans, scale drawings, equipment specifications, and lists of materials and equipment are not required;
• The dollar amount of any progress payment and the stage of construction at which the contractor will be entitled to collect progress payments from the owner during construction, shown as a payment schedule (this is not applicable in certain situations);
• If a contract with the owner provides for payment of a commission to a salesperson out of the contract price, a statement that the payment must be made on a pro rata basis in proportion to the schedule of payments, if applicable; and
• A disclosure of the retail price of a kilowatt-hour, any offsetting tariff, and the identity of the electric utility that furnishes electric service to the single-family residence at the time the contract is executed.

The contractor must provide the owner with a copy of all documents signed, with a receipt of any money paid. The contract cannot require the owner to waive any of these rights, or any other rights provided by NRS 624 or the Nevada State Contractors’ Board regulation. In addition to these requirements, the Nevada State Contractors’ Board may adopt regulations that impose additional mandatory elements in residential solar installation contracts, so residential photovoltaic installers should keep current on the Board’s requirements. This is not a complete list and just some of the mandatory contract requirements for residential photovoltaic system contractors. As always, be sure to consult an attorney if you have questions regarding these or other requirements.