Terms and Conditions

1. The applicant must be a property owner at the service address where the battery system will be installed. The installation address must be served by an active electric account with Rhode Island Energy, Clear River Electric and Water (CREW) District, or Block Island Utility District. 
2. Applicants must submit an electric utility bill for the service address from the last 3 months. 
3. Eligible battery energy storage systems must be new installations of behind-the-meter, gridconnected systems. Tier 1 systems (≤25 kW continuous AC) must be listed as supported by Rhode Island Energy’s ConnectedSolutions battery program. Tier 2 systems (25–250 kW continuous AC) must either be on the ConnectedSolutions list or meet UL 9540 (with UL 9540A testing), UL 1741, and IEEE 1547 certification requirements. 
4. To receive the enhanced Tier 1 income-eligible incentive, the applicant must provide proof of participation in a qualifying utility, state, or federal program dated within the last 12 months (WAP, LIHEAP, SNAP, RI Works, SSI/SSP, Medicaid, Housing Program/Section 8, or Rhode Island Energy A-60 Electric Low-Income Discount Rate). Self-attestation of income is not accepted. 
5. New additional batteries added to an existing battery system are eligible, provided the new batteries meet all program requirements. 
6. Projects with an interconnection application submitted prior to the program launch date are ineligible. 
7. The executed installation agreement must be dated on or after the program launch date. 

8. Rebates are distributed on a first-come, first-reserved basis. The program has two tiers: 
   
   1. Tier 1 (≤25 kW continuous AC): Base incentive of $250 per kWh of nameplate battery capacity, up to $8,000. Income-eligible incentive of $500 per kWh, up to $16,000. 
   2. Tier 2 (25–250 kW continuous AC): $175 per kWh of nameplate battery capacity, up to $45,500. 
   3. The source of truth for total kWh used in rebate calculation is the final invoice and/or manufacturer specification sheets, not the utility interconnection confirmation. 
9. To apply, submit an online application through the ESR Program portal with an executed installation agreement. Tier 2 applicants must also submit a copy of their interconnection application. If you do not have internet access, contact OER at [PHONE NUMBER]. 
10. All applicants must submit a reservation form. If a project does not reserve funds in advance, the applicant may still apply within 90 days of receiving the utility Authorization to Interconnect (ATI), but must still submit the reservation form first. 
11. Upon approval, OER will reserve rebate funds for a period of 365 calendar days. Up to two 180-day extensions may be granted on a case-by-case basis for documented permitting or utility interconnection delays. During the reservation period, the applicant must complete installation and submit a completion package including: final invoice or signed financing/leasing agreement; utility Authorization to Interconnect (ATI); Certificate of Completion from local permitting authority; Installer Attestation with one-line diagram, serial numbers, and photos; proof of demand-response enrollment (signed CSP contract or Rhode Island Energy Direct Participation enrollment confirmation); and customer W-9. 
12. Rebate payments will be issued to the designated payee (customer or installer) via State payment processes within 4–6 weeks of completion-package approval. Delays beyond normal processing times may occur. 
13. Reservations expire after 365 days (plus any approved extensions). If the applicant does not submit a complete completion package within the reservation period, the reservation will expire and reserved funds will be released back to the program. The applicant may reapply only if program funds remain available. 
14. The applicant is required to notify OER in the event of project termination or withdrawal. 

15. All installations must be performed by a licensed electrician holding a valid Rhode Island electrical license. 
16. Installers designated as the rebate payee must register as a vendor with the State of Rhode Island’s Division of Purchases prior to rebate disbursement. If the installer is the payee, the final invoice or financing document must show a discount equal to the full rebate value. 
17. The applicant may change the designated installer during the reservation period by notifying OER and submitting an updated installer designation. A change of installer is grounds for a reservationtimer restart, if requested by the applicant and approved by OER. 

18. As a condition of receiving the rebate, the applicant agrees to enroll in demand-response programs when available from the applicant’s electric utility. At completion, the applicant must provide proof of enrollment: a signed contract with a Curtailment Service Provider (CSP) or a Rhode Island Energy Direct Participation enrollment email confirmation. If DR programs are not yet available, a signed commitment to enroll when available is required. 

Verification, Compliance, and Quality Assurance 

19. OER may verify eligibility and compliance through documentation review, data matching, and/or site inspections at any time. 
20. All Tier 2 projects over 100 kW will receive a mandatory field inspection. Approximately 10 percent of all other completed projects will be randomly selected for field inspection by a contractor retained by OER to verify system quality, proper installation, and code compliance. 
21. The applicant must retain all project documentation for a minimum of three (3) years following rebate payment and provide it to OER upon request. 
22. OER may deny payment or require repayment of the rebate if the project is found to be noncompliant, not installed, not operational, or not interconnected as required, or if any material statement in the application is found to be false.

By checking the terms and conditions box, the applicant agrees to the following: 

1. I certify that all information provided in this application is true, complete, and correct to the best of my knowledge. 
2. I understand that any false statement made in the submitted information may be punishable under Rhode Island law and in accordance with any applicable statute. 
3. I understand that the submission of a rebate application does not guarantee an award. Rebates are subject to the availability of program funds and compliance with all program requirements. 
4. I understand that OER reserves all rights and remedies available under the law to enforce the terms of this agreement, including the right to deny payment or require repayment. 
5. I understand that OER reserves the right to modify these terms and conditions and/or terminate the ESR Program at its sole discretion. Any such modifications will be posted on the program website and will apply to applications submitted after the effective date of the change. 
6. I agree to enroll in demand-response programs when available from my electric utility and to provide proof of such enrollment. 
7. I agree to permit access to the installation site for quality-assurance inspections if selected by OER or its designated contractor. 
8. I understand that rebate payments may be subject to federal and state tax reporting requirements, and that a completed W-9 form is required regardless of the designated payee. 
9. I acknowledge that OER may contact me at any point during or after the rebate process, including but not limited to communications regarding demand-response programs, enrollment verification, quality-assurance follow-up, and general program updates. 
10. I acknowledge that the ESR rebate is not eligible for the Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund (REF) storage adder, and that I may not claim both incentives for the same equipment.