Solar advocates in Nevada are expected to show up to a Public Utilities Commission there packing heat, and we don’t mean from the sun.

They’re upset about a decision by Nevada’s PUC to end net metering, and are urging the commissioners to change their minds — Western style.

“Net metering policy has inspired heated debates in states from Hawaii to Massachusetts, but Nevada has found a way to further ratchet up the pressure,” writes the online energy watchdog site, Utility Dive.

Net metering is a popular program that has attracted many consumers including in Hawaii to install solar systems. It lets residents with photovoltaic systems sell excess energy back to the electric companies at the full retail rate, dropping their electric bills considerably.

Nevada is an open-carry state — you can carry firearms there openly, no concealed weapons permit necessary — and solar advocates with pistols strapped on tried to get into a PUC session earlier this week. They were turned away but tensions were high outside the meeting, Utility Dive says.

That has Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval calling for “civil debate.”

Hawaii’s PUC also ended net metering recently which raised the ire of solar advocates here as well. But in Hawaii it seems the pen is (so far) mightier than the sword — a lawsuit was filed by solar companies whose business was affected but no guns that we’ve heard of.