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NuWatt designs, installs, and manages solar, battery, heat pump, and EV charger systems across 9 states. One company, one warranty, one point of contact.
Get a Free QuoteThe Renewable Energy Growth program pays residential solar owners 31.55¢ per kWh for 15 years — locked at enrollment (Small-Scale Solar I, 0-15 kW DC). That is a guaranteed $45,900 in income on a typical 8 kW system, paid monthly, separate from your electric bill.
RE Growth and net metering are alternative enrollment paths. This guide does not add both compensation values for the same system and period.
The Renewable Energy Growth (REG) program is a Rhode Island state incentive that pays solar system owners a fixed, above-market rate for every kilowatt-hour their system generates. Administered by Rhode Island Energy (formerly National Grid RI), REG was designed to accelerate solar adoption by guaranteeing income that makes solar financially compelling — regardless of federal policy changes.
In 2026, REG is more important than ever. The federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired on December 31, 2025. Homeowners who buy solar with cash or a loan now receive zero federal tax credits. But in Rhode Island, the REG program fills that gap — and then some.
REG pays more than the old ITC was worth
On an 8 kW system at $3.06/W ($24,480 gross cost), the old 30% ITC would have been worth $7,344. The REG program pays $45,900 over 15 years — that is 6.2x more valuable than the tax credit ever was. Rhode Island homeowners are better off with REG alone.
Unlike a one-time tax credit, REG provides ongoing monthly income. It is not a rebate. It is not a bill credit. Rhode Island Energy sends you a separate check (or electronic payment) every month for the electricity your panels produce. And the rate is locked the day you enroll — it never decreases, even as ceiling prices decline in future program years.
Your 31.55¢/kWh rate never changes for 15 years — even if future PY rates drop
Select and model one utility compensation path for the contract period
REG income is paid independently from your electric bill — a true revenue stream
Mandated by RI law, administered by RI Energy — not dependent on federal policy
REG is not a bill credit. It is a separate payment for your solar production.
Your solar system generates electricity and a production meter records every kWh produced.
Rhode Island Energy reads your production meter monthly and multiplies total kWh by your locked REG rate (31.55¢/kWh for Small-Scale Solar I).
You receive a separate REG payment — by check or electronic deposit — apart from your regular electric bill.
The project remains on its RE Growth tariff for the contract term; do not add a separate net-metering credit for the same generation and period.
Rhode Island Energy describes projects as enrolling in either RE Growth or Net Metering. Compare those paths, but do not add both values to the same year of a financial projection.
The values above are alternatives and must not be combined.
Each program year, Rhode Island Energy sets a ceiling price — the maximum rate paid to REG participants. When you enroll, your rate is locked at the ceiling price for your enrollment year. It does not change for the entire 15-year contract, even as ceiling prices adjust in future program years.
| Program Year | Ceiling Price | Status | 15-Year Value (8 kW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PY2025 | 33.85¢/kWh | Closed | $49,252 |
| PY2026Current | 31.55¢/kWh | Open April 1, 2026 | $45,905 |
| PY2027 (est.) | ~30¢/kWh | Estimated | $43,650 |
For Program Year 2026, Rhode Island Energy splits small-scale (≤25 kW DC) systems into two classes with different ceiling prices and contract terms:
Source: Rhode Island Energy — Renewable Energy Growth Program, Program Year 2026. The Solar II 20-year tariff makes sense for larger systems where the longer term offsets the lower annual rate.
Commercial and medium-scale solar (plus wind, hydro, and anaerobic digester projects) use a competitive Open Enrollment track, not the first-come queue. The first PY2026 Open Enrollment window is April 27 – May 8, 2026 (applications due May 8, 4 PM ET). Notice of Selection: June 1–12, 2026. RI PUC approval is estimated August 14, 2026. This is a bid-based process administered by RI Energy's Clean Energy Procurement Team.
Propel — NuWatt's Transitional Ownership program — is on the waitlist for Rhode Island launch. It pairs a prepaid Energy Services Agreement with a Concert Finance loan: $0 down, one fixed monthly payment, no dealer fees, and automatic ownership transfer at year 5. Because a third party holds the system during years 1-5, the project qualifies for the Section 48/48E commercial ITC (30%) — those savings are baked into your lower payment.
The important RI-specific piece: third-party-owned systems ARE eligible for REG (RI Energy issues a separate Consumer Disclosure Form for TPO systems). During the transitional 5 years, the Propel owner captures REG PBI as part of the financing math that lowers your payment. At year 5 you own the system outright; confirm the remaining REG contract and any post-contract net-metering eligibility with Rhode Island Energy before relying on either value.
RI Propel launch is targeted for April 2026 or later. Join the waitlist to be notified when enrollment opens — and to compare a standard loan + REG stack vs. Propel side-by-side when timing lines up with your PY2026 enrollment window.
If you enroll in PY2026, your rate is 31.55¢/kWh for the full 15 years (Small-Scale Solar I) — even if PY2027 drops further (estimated ~30¢/kWh). Earlier enrollees in PY2025 locked in at 33.85¢/kWh and still receive that higher rate today. This declining ceiling trend means enrolling sooner locks a higher rate. Each year you wait, the ceiling price typically drops another 2–3 cents.
PY2026 is 2.30¢/kWh lower than PY2025 for Small-Scale Solar I. Over 15 years, that single-year decline costs roughly $3,350 in lost REG income on an 8 kW system. The trend is clear: earlier enrollment means a higher locked rate. If you are considering solar in Rhode Island, the PY2026 window (opens April 1, 2026) is the highest rate still available.
Enrollment opens April 1, 2026 on a first-come, first-served basis. Preparation is everything.
Select an installer experienced with the REG application process. They will handle most of the paperwork. NuWatt has enrolled hundreds of RI systems into REG.
Your installer submits a REG application to Rhode Island Energy during the enrollment window. The application includes system design, interconnection details, and site information.
Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis when Program Year 2026 opens April 1, 2026. The small-scale annual allocation is only 3 MW DC — spots fill fast. Your installer should submit immediately when the window opens.
Rhode Island Energy reviews your application and issues a conditional approval. You have 12 months from approval to complete installation and interconnection.
Complete your solar installation, pass inspection, and receive permission to operate (PTO) from Rhode Island Energy. Your installer coordinates the entire process.
Once your system is interconnected and generating, REG payments begin. You receive a monthly check or credit at 31.55¢/kWh for every kWh produced — locked for 15 years.
Adjust your system size to see estimated monthly, annual, and 15-year REG payments at the PY2026 Small-Scale Solar I ceiling price of 31.55¢/kWh.
Estimate your 15-year guaranteed REG income at $0.3155/kWh
| Year | Annual | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $3,062 | $3,062 |
| Year 2 | $3,062 | $6,124 |
| Year 3 | $3,062 | $9,186 |
| Year 4 | $3,062 | $12,248 |
| Year 5 | $3,062 | $15,310 |
| Year 10 | $3,062 | $30,620 |
| Year 15 | $3,062 | $45,930 |
REG rate: $0.3155/kWh (PY2026 ceiling). Rate is fixed at enrollment for the full 15-year term. Production estimate: ~1,213 kWh/kW/year in Rhode Island.
RE Growth and net metering are alternative enrollment paths. Do not add this estimate to net-metering credits for the same system and period. Enrollment opens April 1 annually and remains subject to available capacity.
The calculator above shows REG income only. Your total solar savings also include net metering credits (~$2,250/yr for 8 kW), the REF upfront rebate (up to $5,000), sales tax exemption (~$1,714), and property tax exemption (~$362/yr). For a complete savings analysis, see our RI solar cost breakdown.
REG is not your only incentive. It stacks with every other RI solar program for a combined package no other state can match.
31.55¢/kWh (Small-Scale I, ≤15 kW) for all production, 15-year term
current tariff-specific renewable credit for exports (post-4/2023), separate from REG
Commerce RI REF ($0.65/W, max $5,000) explicitly does NOT pair with REG — you must choose one. For most residential systems REG's 15-year PBI value dwarfs REF's one-time $5K cap.
7% RI sales tax exempt on solar equipment and installation
Solar value exempt from property tax for 20 years
Expired Dec 31, 2025. $0 for homeowner cash/loan purchases.
On a system costing ~$24,480 gross. REF ($5K max) is not included because REF and REG are mutually exclusive — homeowners choose one. For typical residential systems the 15-year REG track is substantially more valuable than a one-time REF rebate.
Rhode Island and Massachusetts both offer production-based solar incentives. The difference in value is staggering.
| Feature | RI REG | MA SMART 3.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Rate per kWh | 31.55¢/kWh * | $0.03/kWh |
| Contract term | 15 years | 20 years * |
| 15-year value (8 kW) | $45,900 * | $5,832 |
| 20-year value (8 kW) | $45,900 (ends at 15) * | $7,776 |
| Net-metering treatment | Alternative enrollment path | Program-specific |
| Rate type | Fixed at enrollment | Flat rate (SMART 3.0) |
| Enrollment | First-come April 1, 2026 | Rolling (capacity permitting) * |
| Annual cap (small-scale) | 3 MW DC (Solar I + II) | 600 MW (PY2026) * |
| Battery adder | No REG adder | +$0.04/kWh * |
| Low-income adder | No REG adder | +$0.03/kWh (2x base) * |
| Net value advantage | 10x higher base rate * | Better adder ecosystem |
* = advantage in that category. Calculations based on 8 kW system, 1,213 kWh/kW/yr (RI), 1,215 kWh/kW/yr (MA).
The RI REG program pays 10 times more per kWhthan MA SMART 3.0 for residential systems. Over 15 years, an 8 kW system in Rhode Island earns $45,900 in REG income compared to $5,832 from SMART (even with SMART's longer 20-year term). Massachusetts has better adder options (battery, low-income, canopy), but even with the maximum MA adders, REG's base rate alone produces more total income. This is why Rhode Island has the best solar incentive in New England.
Pascoag and Block Island Power customers may have separate solar incentive programs. Contact your utility directly for details.
Cash or Loan purchase
You own the system and keep 100% of REG payments. $2,641/year goes directly to you. This is the best option for maximizing REG value.
Lease or PPA
The third-party system owner typically enrolls the system in REG and keeps the REG payments. The benefit is passed to you as a lower lease/PPA rate. The third-party also claims the Section 48 ITC (30%). While you do not receive direct REG income, the combined ITC + REG savings lower your monthly cost.
Everything you need to know about the Renewable Energy Growth program.
The PY2026 approved ceiling prices are 31.55¢/kWh for Small-Scale Solar I (0-15 kW DC, 15-year tariff) and 28.65¢/kWh for Small-Scale Solar II (15-25 kW DC, 20-year tariff). These rates are fixed at enrollment for the full contract term. Small-Scale Solar I has declined from 33.85¢/kWh in PY2025, but remains among the most valuable residential solar incentive rates in the nation — over 10 times the MA SMART base rate.
RE Growth pays the fixed performance-based incentive specified in the project’s tariff. Net metering uses the separately published tariff credit for eligible exports. Rhode Island Energy describes projects as enrolling in either RE Growth or Net Metering, so the two values must not be added for the same system and period.
The PY2026 small-scale program year opens April 1, 2026 and runs through March 31, 2027. Applications are first-come, first-served. The PY2026 small-scale cap is only 3 MW DC (Solar I + II combined), so spots fill fast. Your installer submits the interconnection application to Rhode Island Energy on your behalf. Start the process in February-March so everything is ready the moment the window opens. Projects >25 kW use a different track with competitive Open Enrollment windows — the first PY2026 non-small-scale Open Enrollment runs April 27 – May 8, 2026.
Do not assume dual enrollment. Rhode Island Energy describes eligible projects as enrolling in either RE Growth or Net Metering. Ask the utility to confirm the project’s current eligibility and transition rules before signing or modeling revenue.
After the contract term, the RE Growth payment stops. Any later net-metering eligibility and credit must be confirmed under the tariff and program rules in force at that time; this page does not assume a future transition value.
The federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired on December 31, 2025, under the OBBBA. Homeowners who purchase solar with cash or a loan in 2026 receive $0 in federal tax credits, regardless of REG enrollment. However, the REG program more than compensates: $45,900 in 15-year REG income on an 8 kW system exceeds what the old 30% ITC would have provided. Third-party owned systems (lease/PPA) can still access the commercial ITC (Section 48/48E) through the financing company.
Rhode Island Energy publishes a separate Consumer Disclosure Form for third-party-owned RE Growth projects. The contract must state who receives the performance-based incentive and how it affects the customer payment. Any post-transfer or post-contract net-metering eligibility must be confirmed separately with the utility.
The REG program is first-come, first-served and the 3 MW DC small-scale cap fills fast. Start the process now so your application is ready the day enrollment opens. NuWatt has enrolled hundreds of RI systems into REG and submits applications the minute the window opens.
Complete overview of solar in Rhode Island
Pricing data, payback, and savings analysis
$0.65/W upfront rebate — how to apply
Compare net metering with the alternative RE Growth path
Why RI solar still makes sense post-ITC
Personalized REG estimate for your home