Renewable Energy Incentives
Below are incentives related to renewable energy, separated by residential and commercial.
Net Metering
The net-metering program is one of two solar programs available to homeowners and businesses interested in going solar. Customers can choose to have a net-metered system, OR an REG system (see below), but not both. The decision is binding for the lifetime of the contract. Net-metering is a mechanism for crediting the power produced by renewable energy systems installed behind a customer meter. Net-metering allows customers with eligible renewable energy systems to receive bill credits for all power generated up to 125 percent of the on-site consumption during a billing period. To participate in net metering, a renewable energy system must be sited on the customer’s premises. Eligible customer-sited net metering systems must be sized to meet on-site loads, based on a three-year average of electricity consumption at the property. For more information on net-metering, visit: https://energy.ri.gov/renewable-energy/wind/net-metering.
Renewable Energy Fund (REF) Small-Scale Solar Program
Homeowners are eligible for the Small-Scale solar program. Your selected solar installer will apply to the REF on your behalf. This grant is available for Net-Metered systems only. After the solar PV system is installed, the grant will go directly to the installer after the completion paperwork is processed and a quality assurance evaluation of the system is complete. If using the REF Small Scale program, make sure the turnkey contract with your installer clearly shows how much the grant is for and includes a clause with an option for cancellation in case the grant program becomes fully subscribed. This is a popular program with a limited annual amount of funding.
- Funding: Small Scale: $1.65/watt, max $14,500 per customer
- Energy Storage Adder Incentive: Flat $5,000/project for solar+storage systems
Renewable Energy Growth Program
The Renewable Energy Growth (REG) Program, administered by Rhode Island Energy, supports the development of distributed generation projects in Rhode Island. The program enables customers to sell their generation output under long-term tariffs at fixed prices. Participants sign a 20-year long-term contract with a fixed electricity price and a Production-Based Incentive (PBI) payment. Participants receive bill credits on their electricity bill up to the amount owed, and any excess generation is compensated to the customer in the form of a direct deposit. You must be an RI Energy customer to use this program. Eligible technologies include wind, solar, small-scale hydropower, and anaerobic digestion. REG Program customers are NOT eligible for a grant from the REF (above). To visit OER’s Renewable Energy Growth Program website, please visit https://energy.ri.gov/renewable-energy/wind/renewable-energy-growth-program-reg-program. You can learn more about the small-scale REG Program and view frequently asked questions by visiting Rhode Island Energy’s REG website: https://www.rienergy.com/site/other-parties/business-partners/rfp-and-procurement/re-growth-program/enrollment-calendar.
Net Metering
The net-metering program is one of two solar programs available to homeowners and businesses interested in going solar. Customers can choose to have a net-metered system, OR an REG system (see below), but not both. The decision is binding for the lifetime of the contract. Net-metering is a mechanism for crediting the power produced by renewable energy systems installed behind a customer meter. Net-metering allows customers with eligible renewable energy systems to receive bill credits for all power generated up to 125 percent of the on-site consumption during a billing period. To participate in net metering, a renewable energy system must be sited on the customer’s premises. Eligible customer-sited net metering systems must be sized to meet on-site loads, based on a three-year average of electricity consumption at the property. For more information on net-metering, visit: https://energy.ri.gov/renewable-energy/wind/net-metering.
Renewable Energy Fund (REF) Commercial Scale Solar Program
Business’s, nonprofits, academic institutions, municipal/state buildings or other large facilities are eligible for the Commercial Scale solar program. The grant payment will go to whoever the applicant or grantee of the project is. Your selected solar installer will apply to the REF on your behalf. This grant is available for Net-Metered systems only. After the solar PV system is installed, the grant will go directly to the installer after the completion paperwork is processed and a quality assurance evaluation of the system is complete. If using the REF Small Scale program, make sure the turnkey contract with your installer clearly shows how much the grant is for and includes a clause with an option for cancellation in case the grant program becomes fully subscribed. This is a popular program with a limited annual amount of funding.
- Funding: Commercial Scale: Starts at $.70/watt and progressively goes down as the size increases (see the flyer below for the full scale)
- Energy storage Adder Incentive: $.50/watt, max $40,000 per project
Renewable Energy Growth Program
The Renewable Energy Growth (REG) Program, administered by Rhode Island Energy, supports the development of distributed generation projects in Rhode Island. The program enables customers to sell their generation output under long-term tariffs at fixed prices. Participants sign a 20-year long-term contract with a fixed electricity price and a Production-Based Incentive (PBI) payment. Participants receive bill credits on their electricity bill up to the amount owed, and any excess generation is compensated to the customer in the form of a direct deposit. You must be an RI Energy customer to use this program. Eligible technologies include wind, solar, small-scale hydropower, and anaerobic digestion. REG Program customers are NOT eligible for a grant from the REF (above). To visit OER’s Renewable Energy Growth Program website, please visit https://energy.ri.gov/renewable-energy/wind/renewable-energy-growth-program-reg-program. You can learn more about the small-scale REG Program and view frequently asked questions by visiting Rhode Island Energy’s REG website: https://www.rienergy.com/site/other-parties/business-partners/rfp-and-procurement/re-growth-program/enrollment-calendar.
Brownfields Solar PV Program
The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation (RI Commerce) and the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) provide funds to install solar PV on Brownfield locations. All projects must be in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for the Renewable Energy Fund. Applications will be accepted as a first come, first served process on a rolling-basis until funding is exhausted. https://commerceri.com/financing/renewable-energy-fund/.
Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE)
Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) is a financing program that allows commercial property owners to repay the costs of energy efficiency or renewable energy projects in conjunction with their property tax payments. Municipalities must opt-in to C-PACE in order to participate. The list of participating communities can be found here: https://riib.org/solutions/programs/commercial-property-assessed-clean-energy/.
Electric Leaf Blower Rebate Program
The Electric Leaf Blower Rebate program offers rebates for electric leaf blowers. Rhode Island businesses, nonprofits, and government entities can receive up to 5 rebates each worth up to $1,500 or 75% (whichever is less) of the purchase price of an electric leaf blower and 2 additional related batteries. An additional $250 per rebate can be awarded to applicants in the municipalities with the highest asthma rates. To learn more, visit: https://energy.ri.gov/climate-change/electric-leaf-blower-rebate-program.