Solar Quotes in Rhode Island
Renewable Energy Fund (REF) Small-Scale solar grant
- The RI Office of Energy Resources lists Small-Scale funding of $1.65/watt, up to $14,500 per customer, plus a flat $5,000 Energy Storage Adder for solar-plus-storage systems. Source: https://energy.ri.gov/energy-incentives/renewable-energy-incentives (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Date-sensitive: OER calls this "a popular program with a limited annual amount of funding." It recommends a contract clause that lets you cancel if the grant program fills up. Source: same (accessed 2026-10-20)
Net metering (R.I. Gen. Laws 39-26.4-3)
- When your system produces more than you use in a billing period, you're paid in excess renewable net-metering credits. For systems over 25 kW, excess credits are limited to 25% beyond on-site usage. After the annual reconciliation, you can cash out a remaining credit balance under the statute's formula. Source: https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/statutes/title39/39-26.4/39-26.4-3.htm (accessed 2026-10-20)
A note on the federal tax credit
The federal residential clean energy credit (25D) doesn't apply to expenditures made after December 31, 2025. The IRS treats an expenditure as made when installation is completed. Source: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-for-modification-of-sections-25c-25d-25e-30c-30d-45l-45w-and-179d-under-public-law-119-21-139-stat-72-july-4-2025-commonly-known-as-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-obbb (accessed 2026-10-20). This page isn't tax advice.
Is solar worth it in Rhode Island?
It depends on your bill, roof and utility rules. Here is an estimate for a home with a $150 monthly electric bill and a south-facing, unshaded roof, before any incentives:
- Residential electricity averaged an estimated 29.22¢/kWh in Rhode Island (January–July 2026), above the U.S. average of 18.19¢ (6 of 51, highest first). Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.B (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Small rooftop systems in Rhode Island produced an estimated 832 kWh per kW of panels in 2024 (2024 small-scale solar generation divided by average 2023–2024 small-scale capacity). Source: EIA Electric Power Annual 2024, Tables 3.21 and 4.7.B (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Estimated system size: 5.5–7.5 kW, producing about 5,408 kWh a year (estimated).
- Estimated installed cost: $19,500–$33,800 before incentives, using $3.00–$5.20 per watt. Source: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (2024 installed prices, 20th–80th percentile; accessed 2026-10-20)
- Estimated simple payback: 11–25 years. Savings depend on how your utility credits exported energy (see above).
Estimates only, based on public data and simple assumptions. Actual production, cost, and savings vary by home, utility, rate plan, and installer. Not a quote, and not a guarantee of savings. Ask your installer about any state, local, or utility incentives that apply. State and local programs: DSIRE.
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