Reno’s municipal sustainability strategy is paying measurable dividends. In 2024, city-owned solar facilities generated 1.6 million kilowatt hours of clean energy, covering nearly one-third of energy usage at those sites. Combined with broader efficiency projects, the city has achieved a 37% reduction in energy use across municipal buildings, saving $3.4 million over the past decade.
The city has steadily expanded solar generation at key facilities, including fire stations, wastewater treatment plants, and community centers. The Stead Wastewater Treatment Plant accounts for the largest share of municipal solar output.
In December 2023, Reno partnered with NV Energy to complete a 409-kilowatt rooftop solar array at the Moana Springs Community Aquatics and Fitness Center. The system provides shaded parking for visitors while delivering clean energy to the grid, forming part of a community solar program that allows residents to purchase discounted power.
Efficiency upgrades have delivered equally impressive returns. A single retrofit project replaced nearly 700 outdated bulbs with just 50 high-bay LED lights, achieving full cost payback in 13 months. “We have done lighting in nearly all our occupied spaces,” said Suzanne Groneman, environmental services manager for the City of Reno, in the 2024 SCAP report. “Another area we’ve focused on is outdoor street lighting.”
Nationwide, LED retrofits are among the most cost-effective municipal energy upgrades, and Reno’s success reflects a broader trend. By 2023, Nevada utilities had converted nearly 60% of utility-owned streetlights to LED, while Reno completed nearly all conversions on city-owned poles.
Reno’s 114,000-square-foot Public Safety Center, which opened in August 2024, represents the city’s largest demonstration of sustainable construction practices to date. Built on the site of the former Reno Gazette Journal building, the renovation reduced waste by recycling more than 20,000 pounds of carpet and reusing portions of the foundation and exterior.
The facility offsets about one-third of its electricity use with rooftop solar panels and on-site storage. High-efficiency pumps, boilers, water fixtures, and LED lighting replaced mechanical systems that were more than 40 years old. “We recycled as much of the demolition debris as we could,” said Justin George, senior civil engineer with the City of Reno.
The Public Safety Center also reflects resilience priorities. Seismic upgrades included upsizing building footings and adding structural steel bracing to meet higher risk standards. The facility is designed to remain operational during major events while serving as a community resource.
Reno is extending sustainability practices beyond government buildings through its Energy and Water Efficiency Benchmarking Program. Under city ordinance RMC 14.30, large commercial and multifamily property owners must report their usage data annually. Compliance rose from just 19% in 2022 to 51% in 2023, following targeted outreach and training.
“Demand charges can be as much as one-third of your power bill, so if you can reduce that by using solar or storage, you can cut down a huge portion of your costs,” said Groneman.
To further support property owners, the city will launch a new program in late 2025 that subsidizes energy audits for buildings through the Nevada Clean Energy Fund. While audits typically cost $2,500–$5,000, subsidies could reduce owner costs to just a few hundred dollars.
Reno’s achievements are drawing national attention. In 2024, the city won the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Award for Large Cities for its community-based solar project with NV Energy. The project provides residents the opportunity to buy renewable energy credits at a discounted rate, a model designed to expand solar access to lower-income households.
The city was also recognized by Clearly Energy’s BEAM program for achieving the second-highest improvement nationwide in benchmarking compliance rates, highlighting its leadership in data-driven building performance.
Reno’s progress reflects wider trends across Nevada and the U.S. Between 2019 and 2023, Nevada’s renewable energy generation nearly doubled, from 20% to 39% of the state’s total. Federal initiatives like the Solar for All program, funded at $156 million statewide, are expected to accelerate deployment of community and rooftop solar in the years ahead.
Meanwhile, climate resilience has emerged as a critical priority in the region. In partnership with the Desert Research Institute, the city participated in the Reno-Sparks Heat Campaign, which mapped urban heat islands across Washoe County. Data collected with 149 volunteers is being used to target tree planting, infrastructure upgrades, and cooling strategies.
For city leaders, the most significant achievement may be the integration of sustainability into routine operations. “Sustainability is top-of-mind when development services is looking at zoning changes or educating the community,” Groneman said. “It is making its way throughout our organization and is part of our culture.”
Reno’s next phase will emphasize measurable outcomes, from increasing tree canopy coverage to expanding EV charging networks and ensuring equitable access to renewable energy. With a decade of progress already in place, the city is positioning itself as a regional model for embedding sustainability into municipal governance.
