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The federal ITC is dead. But Rhode Island has the strongest state solar incentive stack in the country. REG alone can pay $50,000+ over 20 years. Stack all 7 layers and a 10 kW system with battery generates over $175,000 in 25-year value.
Federal Residential ITC (Section 25D): EXPIRED Dec 31, 2025. The 30% residential solar tax credit was eliminated by the OBBBA (signed July 4, 2025). Cash and loan purchases receive zero federal credit in 2026. Any installer advertising this credit is using outdated or dishonest information.
Every layer stacks with the others. No income limits on REG, REF, or net metering. Here is exactly what each incentive pays and how to claim it.
The single most valuable solar incentive in the United States. RI Energy pays you $0.27/kWh for every kWh your system produces, guaranteed for 15 years (residential) or 20 years (larger systems). This is a fixed contract rate — it does not decrease. On a 10 kW system producing ~12,130 kWh/year, that is $3,275/year in REG income alone.
Commerce RI pays $0.65 per watt for residential solar systems, capped at $5,000. Add a battery and receive an additional $2,000 rebate. Grant rounds open 3 times per year (spring, summer, fall). Must apply before installation begins.
Excess electricity your system exports to the grid earns credits at 80% of the retail rate (post-April 2023). At $0.29/kWh retail, that is $0.232/kWh in credits. Credits roll over monthly and true-up annually. Systems grandfathered before April 2023 receive full 1:1 retail credits. You receive BOTH REG payments AND net metering credits — they stack.
Rhode Island exempts solar equipment, installation labor, and battery storage from the 7% state sales tax (H7506 extended to batteries). On a $24,000 system, that saves $1,680 immediately. This is automatic — no application needed.
Solar adds 3–4% to your home value, but RI exempts that added value from property taxes for 20 years. With RI's average effective property tax rate of 1.53%, a $24,000 system saves approximately $375/year in property taxes. After 20 years, the system has largely depreciated anyway.
If you add a battery, enroll in ConnectedSolutions to earn $225/kW during summer peak events and $50/kW during winter events. A 10 kW battery earns approximately $2,750/year. This is pure revenue — on top of REG, net metering, and all other incentives. Maximum 60 dispatch hours per year.
The homeowner residential ITC (25D) is dead. But Section 48/48E is still available for projects beginning construction before July 4, 2026. A third-party system owner (like NuWatt's Propel lease partner) claims the 30% commercial ITC and passes savings to you as a lower monthly payment. This is the only way to access federal incentives in 2026.
Here is what a fully stacked RI solar installation looks like with all available incentives applied. 25-year analysis at $3.03/W.
Most states rely on the now-expired federal ITC for fast payback. Rhode Island's REG program alone replaces more than the ITC ever provided. At $0.27/kWh, REG pays roughly $3,275/year on a 10 kW system \u2014 that is $49,000 over 15 years, far exceeding the old $9,000 ITC (30% of a $30,000 system). When you add ConnectedSolutions battery revenue, payback drops below 3 years.
Start with a system design so your installer can calculate REG application capacity, REF rebate amount, and optimal battery sizing. NuWatt provides this free.
Submit your Commerce RI REF application during the next open grant round. Must apply BEFORE installation begins. Spring round typically opens March–April.
Your installer prepares and submits the REG enrollment application on April 1 when the annual window opens. First-come-first-served — preparation is key.
Complete installation and interconnection with RI Energy. Net metering and sales tax exemption are automatic upon interconnection.
Register your battery with RI Energy for demand response payments. Revenue begins the next summer season.
REG payments begin when system is interconnected. Net metering credits appear monthly. ConnectedSolutions pays seasonal. Property tax exemption is automatic.
| Incentive | Rhode Island | Massachusetts | Connecticut |
|---|---|---|---|
| Production Payment | REG: $0.27/kWh × 15\u201320yr | SMART: $0.03/kWh × 20yr | RRES: ~$0.05/kWh × 15yr |
| Upfront Rebate | REF: $5,000 + $2,000 battery | None (Mass Solar Loan ended) | None (Smart-E is a loan) |
| Net Metering | 80% retail ($0.232/kWh) | Varies, under DPU 25-200 review | 1:1 retail |
| Battery DR | $225/kW summer | $275/kW (Eversource) | $100/kW (Grid Edge pilot) |
| Sales Tax | 7% exempt | 6.25% exempt | 6.35% exempt |
| Electric Rate | $0.29/kWh (highest NE) | $0.28\u2013$0.32/kWh | $0.27\u2013$0.28/kWh |
Rhode Island's REG program at $0.27/kWh is 9x more valuable than MA SMART ($0.03/kWh) and 5x more than CT RRES (~$0.05/kWh). This is why RI has the fastest solar payback in New England despite losing the federal ITC.
Get a personalized estimate showing your REG income, REF rebate, net metering credits, and ConnectedSolutions revenue. No inflated ITC numbers. Real RI incentive calculations.