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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.
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Size your solar system to cover EV charging, claim the $1,000 Section 30C credit before it expires, and stack REG income at $0.27/kWh for 15 years. RI's $0.29/kWh rates make solar-charged EVs an exceptional deal.
2-4 kW
Extra Solar Needed
$1,000
30C Tax Credit
$1,400+
Annual Gas Savings
$0.27/kWh
REG Rate
With the highest electricity rates in the region, RI homeowners save the most by generating their own power for both home and vehicle.
RI Energy charges ~$0.29/kWh residential — among the highest in the nation. Every kWh your solar panels produce offsets expensive grid power. EV charging from the grid costs $550+/year; from solar, $0.
The Renewable Energy Growth program pays $0.27/kWh for ALL production for 15-20 years. This applies to every kWh generated, whether it powers your EV, your home, or exports to the grid. An extra 3 kW earns ~$1,090/year in REG alone.
Combine REG payments ($0.27/kWh), REF rebate ($0.65/W, max $5,000), net metering credits (80% retail), Section 30C ($1,000 charger credit), and sales/property tax exemptions. No other state stacks this deep.
Based on 12,000 miles/year and RI solar production of 1,213 kWh per kW per year.
Formula: (Annual miles / 100) x EV efficiency (kWh/100mi) = Annual kWh needed. Divide by 1,213 kWh/kW = Extra solar capacity. Divide by 420W/panel = Extra panels.
| EV Model | Efficiency | Annual kWh | Extra Solar | Extra Panels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 | 24 kWh/100mi | 2,880 kWh | 2.4 kW | 6 panels |
| Tesla Model Y | 26 kWh/100mi | 3,120 kWh | 2.6 kW | 7 panels |
| Chevy Equinox EV | 28 kWh/100mi | 3,360 kWh | 2.8 kW | 7 panels |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 29 kWh/100mi | 3,480 kWh | 2.9 kW | 7 panels |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | 30 kWh/100mi | 3,600 kWh | 3 kW | 8 panels |
| Rivian R1S | 35 kWh/100mi | 4,200 kWh | 3.5 kW | 9 panels |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 41 kWh/100mi | 4,920 kWh | 4.1 kW | 10 panels |
Sizing Tip
These numbers assume 12,000 miles/year. If you drive more (commuters often drive 15,000-20,000), scale up proportionally. Also add 10-15% for charging losses (Level 2 chargers are ~85-90% efficient). Most RI installers recommend rounding up to the nearest whole-kW increment.
The federal 30C credit expires June 30, 2026. Here is what you need to know.
Charger + Install
$1,200-$2,000
30C Credit
-$1,000
Your Net Cost
$200-$1,000
When bundled with a solar installation, many installers include the charger in the solar contract, reducing the marginal cost even further.
Maximize savings by understanding how RI Energy rates interact with solar and EV charging.
Daytime (Solar Peak)
Your panels produce max power. Excess exports earn REG + net metering credits. If home, plug in your EV during solar peak.
Evening (Peak Grid)
Grid demand is highest 5-8 PM. Avoid charging during this window. If you have a battery, discharge to the grid via ConnectedSolutions ($225/kW).
Overnight (Off-Peak)
Set your EV to charge after 9 PM using built-in scheduling. If your solar overproduced during the day, net metering credits offset this usage. Cheapest grid rates.
Weekend (Surplus)
Lower home consumption + full solar production = maximum surplus. Schedule heavy EV charging for weekend days to use solar directly.
Annual fuel cost comparison at 12,000 miles/year for a mid-size vehicle.
Gas Car (30 MPG)
$1,400
per year in fuel
CO2 Emissions
4.6 tons/yr
EV (Grid Power)
$550
per year in fuel
CO2 Emissions
0.9 tons/yr
EV (Solar Power)
$0
per year in fuel
CO2 Emissions
0 tons/yr
EV on Grid vs Gas Car: Save ~$8,500 over 10 years in fuel costs. At RI's $0.29/kWh rate, EV charging costs ~$550/year vs $1,400 for gas.
EV on Solar vs Gas Car: Save ~$14,000 over 10 years. Your solar panels eliminate all fuel costs. Plus you earn REG income on the extra solar production: ~$1,090/year for 3 kW extra.
With REG Income: The 3 kW of extra solar earns ~$1,090/year in REG payments for 15 years = $16,350 total. That exceeds the cost of the extra panels ($8,000-$9,600 for 3 kW at $2.65-$3.20/W).
Net result: Your EV fuel is free, your extra solar panels pay for themselves through REG in ~6-7 years, and you eliminate 4.6 tons of CO2 annually.
Every dollar you can claim in 2026 for a solar + EV charger installation in Rhode Island.
Guaranteed production payments on ALL solar output. 8 kW system = ~$2,640/yr. Extra 3 kW for EV = ~$1,090/yr additional.
Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund. Applied through Commerce RI grant rounds. Battery adder: +$2,000.
Credits for exported solar. $0.29 x 0.80 = $0.232/kWh credit. Protected through 2039.
30% of charger equipment + installation. Expires June 30, 2026. No extension.
Solar equipment, labor, and batteries exempt from RI 7% sales tax.
Solar adds value to your home but $0 to property taxes for 20 years.
Add a battery: earn $225/kW in summer + $50/kW winter demand response income.
Not Available in 2026
The federal Section 25D residential solar ITC expired December 31, 2025. There is $0 federal tax credit for homeowner cash or loan solar purchases. Section 25C (heat pump/energy efficiency credit) also expired. Only Section 30C (EV charger) remains active through June 30, 2026.
How to size a solar system that covers both your household and EV charging needs.
Check your RI Energy bill for annual kWh. Average RI home: 7,500-8,500 kWh/year.
8,000 kWh
Annual miles x efficiency / 100. Example: 12,000 mi x 26 kWh/100mi = 3,120 kWh.
3,120 kWh
Add home + EV + 10% buffer for losses. Total: 8,000 + 3,120 + 1,112 = 12,232 kWh.
12,232 kWh
Divide by 1,213 kWh/kW/yr production. 12,232 / 1,213 = 10.1 kW system recommended.
~10 kW
Level 2 chargers that work best with solar installations and qualify for 30C.
48A / 44 mi/hr / $475
Built-in scheduling, solar surplus detection with Powerwall. WiFi connected.
Best for: Tesla owners
50A / 37 mi/hr / $650
Works with all EVs, adjustable amperage (16-50A), energy monitoring via app.
Best for: Multi-EV households
48A / 36 mi/hr / $400
Solar integration via Emporia Vue energy monitor. Schedule around solar production.
Best for: Budget-conscious with solar
A home battery adds backup power, peak shaving, and ConnectedSolutions income to your solar + EV setup.
RI averages 3-4 outages per year. A battery keeps your lights on AND can charge your EV from stored solar energy when the grid is down.
RI Energy pays $225/kW in summer + $50/kW in winter for battery demand response. A 10 kW battery earns ~$2,750/year. REF battery adder: $2,000 rebate.
Solar + battery + EV = near-complete energy independence. Generate, store, and drive on sunshine. Minimal grid dependence, maximum control over costs.
Most EVs need 2,400-4,900 extra kWh per year (based on 12,000 miles). In Rhode Island with 1,213 kWh/kW/yr solar production, that translates to 2-4 kW of additional solar capacity, or roughly 5-10 extra 420W panels. Efficient sedans like the Tesla Model 3 need fewer panels; larger vehicles like the F-150 Lightning need more.
Section 30C is a federal tax credit covering 30% of EV charger equipment and installation costs, up to $1,000 for residential. It applies to Level 2 chargers placed in service by June 30, 2026. The OBBBA (signed July 4, 2025) accelerated the expiration. There is no extension mechanism.
RI Energy offers a whole-home time-of-use (TOU) rate option. Off-peak rates (typically 9pm-1pm) are lower, making overnight EV charging cheaper. However, RI does not have a dedicated EV-only rate like some other states. The standard residential rate is approximately $0.29/kWh.
An average EV driven 12,000 miles per year costs about $480-$600 in electricity at RI rates ($0.29/kWh). A comparable gas car at 30 MPG and $3.50/gallon costs $1,400/year in fuel. That is $800-$920 per year in savings. With solar, your electricity cost drops to effectively $0, saving the full $1,400+ annually.
Only with a battery backup system. Standard grid-tied solar systems shut down during outages for safety. With a battery (Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ, etc.) and a hybrid inverter, your solar can charge the battery, which then charges your EV. ConnectedSolutions also pays $225/kW for battery demand response.
A typical RI home uses 7,500-8,500 kWh/year. Add 2,400-4,900 kWh for EV charging (12,000 miles). Total: 10,000-13,400 kWh. Divide by 1,213 kWh/kW/yr = 8.2-11 kW total system. Most EV-owning homeowners in RI install a 10-12 kW system.
Yes. The Renewable Energy Growth (REG) program pays $0.27/kWh for ALL solar production for 15-20 years, regardless of whether that energy charges your EV, powers your home, or exports to the grid. Every kWh your panels generate earns the REG rate.
Solar equipment and installation are exempt from RI 7% sales tax. EV charger equipment purchased separately is subject to sales tax. However, when bundled with a solar installation and included in the solar contract, the charger installation often qualifies for the exemption. Consult your installer about bundling.
Get a customized solar + EV charger quote for your Rhode Island home. Section 30C expires June 30, 2026 — lock in your charger credit now.