SolarCity, a provider of clean energy, plans to open its newest headquarters in the Las Vegas, Nevada, area, with plans to create hundreds of jobs in the next several years. The new location will initially house key administrative divisions, including portions of the company’s sales, asset management and customer care groups.

Nevada receives among the greatest amount of direct sunlight of any state in the U.S., company officials noted. Though Nevada hosts a handful of large solar power plants, the state’s potential for distributed residential and commercial solar power generation is largely untapped and has tremendous room for growth.

SolarCity’s first solar projects in the state are also underway. The company is building more than 100 solar projects in Nevada housing communities in partnership with Shea Homes. “With its solar resource, Nevada has an opportunity to be a national leader in distributed renewable power generation,” said Lyndon Rive, CEO of SolarCity. “We expect today’s announcement to initially create more than 100 jobs, but a sustainable local solar industry could create thousands of jobs. We hope to partner with the state and industry to create the business and regulatory certainty that can pave the way for a thriving local solar economy.”

“The approval today of SolarCity’s Catalyst Fund application, represents the successful collaborative effort that took place between local, regional and state economic development agencies,” Gov. Brian Sandoval said. “I am excited to welcome SolarCity to the Nevada family.” The firm will receive an incentive package of approximately $1.2 million from the state.

“SolarCity is changing the way families and businesses across the country can benefit from clean energy and I am pleased that such an innovative company is coming to Nevada,” said Senator Harry Reid. “I was able to help pass an eight-year extension of the federal tax credits for residential and commercial solar installations in 2008 which has been instrumental in creating jobs across Nevada and the nation. I hope that SolarCity’s expansion will help Nevada create the regulatory and business certainty needed to continue to take advantage of Nevada’s abundant solar energy resources.”