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Rhode Island offers strong solar incentives through the REF rebate ($0.65/W), REG program ($0.27/kWh for 15-20 years), and ConnectedSolutions battery payments -- all available regardless of income. For income-eligible households, Section 48 TPO provides $0-down solar, and community solar programs include LMI carve-outs. Here is your complete 2026 guide.
2026 Reality: The 30% federal solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025. Income-eligible households receive $0 federal credit for cash/loan purchases. RI state programs (REF + REG) are your primary incentives. Full details
RI solar incentives (REF, REG, net metering) are available to all homeowners regardless of income. Income-specific programs focus on energy assistance and community solar LMI carve-outs.
Different programs use different income thresholds. The A-60 low-income rate uses 150% FPL, LIHEAP uses 200% FPL, and community solar LMI uses 80% AMI.
| HH Size | 150% FPL | 200% FPL | 80% AMI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $22,590 | $30,120 | $55,950 |
| 2 | $30,660 | $40,880 | $63,950 |
| 3 | $38,730 | $51,640 | $71,900 |
| 4 | $46,800 | $62,400 | $79,900 |
| 5 | $54,870 | $73,160 | $86,300 |
| 6 | $62,940 | $83,920 | $92,750 |
A-60 rate: 150% FPL. LIHEAP: 200% FPL. Community solar LMI: 80% AMI. 2025-2026 guidelines.
Auto-qualify for A-60 rate if enrolled in:
These programs are available to all RI homeowners and represent the bulk of solar value in the state. No income verification required.
RI advantage: Unlike NH, which has no state incentives, RI offers some of New England's strongest solar programs. The REF + REG combination alone can provide $63,000+ in value over 20 years for a 9 kW system. These apply to all homeowners regardless of income.
Four key programs make solar accessible in Rhode Island. While not income-restricted, these incentives stack to significantly reduce the cost of going solar. Section 48 TPO adds a $0-down pathway for those who cannot afford upfront costs.
The Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund (REF) provides a $0.65/W rebate capped at $5,000 for residential solar installations. While not income-restricted, this is a significant upfront cost reduction that benefits all RI homeowners. An additional $2,000 battery adder is available for paired storage installations.
Eligibility
All RI Energy (formerly National Grid) residential customers. No income restriction. Must use a Commerce RI-approved installer.
How to Access
Your solar installer applies to Commerce RI on your behalf. Rebate is paid after installation and inspection. Budget is annual -- apply early in the program year.
Example Value
For a 9 kW system: $5,000 rebate (capped). With battery: $5,000 + $2,000 = $7,000 total. Reduces cash purchase cost from ~$27,000 to ~$22,000.
The Renewable Energy Growth (REG) program provides guaranteed per-kWh payments for solar production at $0.27/kWh locked for 15-20 years. This is a production-based incentive separate from net metering. REG enrollment opens annually (typically April 1) and fills quickly. REG can stack with the REF rebate.
Eligibility
All RI Energy residential customers with systems up to 25 kW. No income restriction. Must apply during annual open enrollment.
How to Access
Apply through an approved REG installer during the annual open enrollment period (typically April 1). Waitlists fill quickly.
Example Value
For a 9 kW system producing 10,800 kWh/year: $2,916/year in guaranteed REG payments for 15-20 years. Total 20-year value: $58,320.
RI Energy offers a low-income discount rate (A-60) for qualifying households. This reduces your baseline electric cost, which affects solar economics. Lower baseline rates mean slightly longer solar payback, but the rate discount provides immediate relief. Households on the low-income rate can still go solar via TPO or community solar.
Eligibility
Household income at or below 150% Federal Poverty Level, or enrolled in SSI, LIHEAP, General Public Assistance, SNAP, or RI Works.
How to Access
Contact RI Energy customer service at 800-322-3223 to apply for the A-60 low-income rate. Bring proof of income or program enrollment.
Example Value
The A-60 rate discount saves approximately $150-$400/year on electricity. Combined with community solar or TPO, total energy savings can reach $600-$1,200/year.
RI Energy ConnectedSolutions pays battery owners $225/kW for participating in summer demand response events. If you pair solar with a battery, this provides additional annual revenue. For a 13.5 kWh / 5 kW battery, that is $1,125/year in DR payments on top of solar savings.
Eligibility
All RI Energy customers with an enrolled battery (Tesla Powerwall, Enphase, sonnen, etc.). No income restriction.
How to Access
Enroll your battery through the ConnectedSolutions program at rienergy.com. Your battery installer can assist with enrollment.
Example Value
For a 5 kW battery: $1,125/year in summer DR payments. Combined with REF $2,000 battery adder, the battery economics are strong.
RI solar costs $2.75-$3.15 per watt in 2026. An average 9 kW system runs $24,750-$28,350 before incentives. With the REF rebate and tax exemptions, here is what income-eligible households actually pay.
After REF rebate + sales tax exemption. REG payments ($2,916/yr) provide ongoing return. Property tax exemption saves ~$399/year for 20 years.
10,800 kWh x $0.27/kWh guaranteed for 15-20 years
10,800 kWh x $0.232/kWh (80% of $0.29 retail)
$26,550 x 1.5% avg RI rate (20-year exemption)
5 kW battery x $225/kW summer DR
REG + NM credits + property tax savings. With battery: add $1,125/yr ConnectedSolutions. Payback: 3-4 years with REG. Note: REG and NM may partially overlap depending on system size vs. usage.
| System Size | Cost Range | After REF + Sales Tax | Annual REG Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | $13,750-$15,750 | $9,537-$11,537 | $1,620/yr |
| 7 kW | $19,250-$22,050 | $13,352-$16,152 | $2,268/yr |
| 9 kW | $24,750-$28,350 | $18,017-$21,617 | $2,916/yr |
| 11 kW | $30,250-$34,650 | $23,132-$27,532 | $3,564/yr |
| 13 kW | $35,750-$40,950 | $28,247-$33,447 | $4,212/yr |
Costs based on $2.75-$3.15/W range. REF rebate: $0.65/W capped at $5,000. Sales tax exemption: 7%. REG: $0.27/kWh x 1,200 kWh/kW RI average.
With Section 25D expired, RI homeowners pay full system cost for cash and loan purchases (minus REF rebate). The REG program provides strong returns that accelerate payback. For $0-down, Section 48 TPO is the answer.
While Section 25D (homeowner ITC) is dead, Section 48/48E (commercial ITC) remains active for projects beginning construction before July 4, 2026. When you sign a PPA or lease, the third-party system owner claims the 30% ITC and passes the savings through as lower monthly payments. For income-eligible RI households, this is the best $0-down pathway.
RI's strong state incentives (REF + REG) make cash purchase attractive when affordable. But for households without capital, Section 48 TPO is the clear path. RI Section 48 Homeowner Guide
Rhode Island provides two significant tax exemptions for solar that benefit all homeowners regardless of income. These are automatic savings that reduce costs.
100% exemption on the purchase and installation of solar PV systems, including batteries. Equipment and labor are both exempt. Applied automatically at purchase.
Applied at purchase. One-time savings. Covers equipment, labor, and battery storage.
Solar installations are excluded from property tax assessment for 20 years statewide. Adding solar does NOT increase your assessed home value for tax purposes during this period.
20-year value: ~$7,980. Statewide -- no town-by-town adoption required (unlike NH).
No state income tax credit: Rhode Island does not offer a state income tax credit for solar installations. The sales tax and property tax exemptions above, plus the REF rebate and REG program, are your state-level benefits. Full RI Solar Tax Guide
If rooftop solar is not an option, RI community solar provides bill savings with zero equipment on your property. Some projects include LMI carve-outs with enhanced benefits.
Subscribe to a local solar project
Sign up for a share of a community solar farm in your RI Energy territory.
Solar farm generates electricity
The off-site solar installation feeds clean electricity into the grid.
Receive bill credits
You receive bill credits on your RI Energy statement for your share of production.
Pay a discounted rate
Your subscription fee is lower than the credits you receive -- net savings of 5-15%.
RI community solar is expanding with new projects coming online regularly. Ask about LMI-specific programs that may offer deeper discounts for qualifying households.
Follow these five steps to access solar programs in Rhode Island. The key is timing your REG application with the annual open enrollment.
Determine if your household qualifies for the RI Energy low-income rate (A-60) at 150% FPL, LIHEAP fuel assistance at 200% FPL, or community solar LMI programs at 80% AMI. Note that the REF rebate and REG program have no income requirements and are available to everyone.
If eligible, apply for the RI Energy A-60 low-income rate and LIHEAP fuel assistance through your local Community Action agency. Reducing your energy burden first makes the decision to go solar clearer. Also ask about weatherization services that prepare your home for solar.
Request quotes from at least three Commerce RI-approved solar installers. Ask specifically about the REF rebate ($0.65/W, max $5,000) and REG enrollment ($0.27/kWh for 15-20 years). For $0-down options, ask about PPA/lease through Section 48. Also ask about the $2,000 REF battery adder and ConnectedSolutions enrollment.
The REG program opens annually (typically April 1). Your installer submits the application. REG fills quickly, so be prepared when enrollment opens. If you miss the window, you still benefit from net metering at 80% retail rate. The REF rebate is available year-round until budget is exhausted.
System is installed, inspector signs off, and your installer submits interconnection paperwork to RI Energy. Net metering credits begin once the system is producing. REG payments start on a separate schedule. If you added a battery, enroll in ConnectedSolutions for $225/kW summer DR payments.
RI Energy (A-60 Rate)
rienergy.com
Low-income rate application
Commerce RI (REF)
commerceri.com
REF rebate and REG enrollment
RI DHS (LIHEAP)
dhs.ri.gov
Fuel assistance and energy programs
Common questions about income-eligible solar programs in Rhode Island for 2026.
RI does not have a dedicated income-restricted solar incentive like CT RRES adder or MA SMART low-income adder. However, the REF rebate ($0.65/W, max $5,000) and REG program ($0.27/kWh for 15-20 years) are available to all RI homeowners regardless of income. The RI Energy A-60 low-income rate provides electric bill relief. Community solar programs have LMI carve-outs in some projects. Section 48 TPO (lease/PPA) provides the best $0-down pathway for income-eligible households.
No. The federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025 for all homeowners regardless of income. There is $0 federal credit for cash or loan solar purchases. The only way to indirectly benefit from a federal credit is through a PPA or lease, where the third-party system owner claims the 30% commercial ITC under Section 48/48E for projects beginning construction before July 4, 2026. This benefit is passed through as lower PPA/lease payments.
The Renewable Energy Fund (REF) rebate is administered by Commerce RI and pays $0.65 per watt for residential solar, capped at $5,000. An additional $2,000 battery adder is available if you install paired storage. Your installer applies on your behalf after installation. The rebate is paid directly to you after inspection. Budget is annual, so apply early. For a 9 kW system ($27,000), the $5,000 rebate reduces your cost to $22,000.
Yes. The REF rebate and REG program stack. The REF rebate ($5,000 one-time) reduces your upfront cost, while REG ($0.27/kWh for 15-20 years) provides ongoing production payments. For a 9 kW system, combined value is $5,000 upfront + $2,916/year REG payments = $63,320 over 20 years. You also receive net metering credits (80% retail) on top of REG payments for any excess production.
The A-60 rate is a discounted electricity rate offered by RI Energy (formerly National Grid) to qualifying low-income households. You qualify if your household income is at or below 150% Federal Poverty Level, or if you are enrolled in SSI, LIHEAP, General Public Assistance, SNAP, or RI Works. The discount saves approximately $150-$400/year on electricity. Contact RI Energy at 800-322-3223 to apply.
Yes. Renters can subscribe to community solar with no rooftop installation and no upfront cost. RI has multiple community solar projects, some with LMI carve-outs that provide enhanced savings for qualifying low-income subscribers. You receive bill credits on your RI Energy statement for your share of production. You just need an active utility account.
ConnectedSolutions pays $225/kW in summer demand response payments to battery owners enrolled in the program. For a typical 5 kW battery, that is $1,125/year. Combined with the REF $2,000 battery adder, battery storage becomes financially attractive. Income-eligible households pursuing a PPA/lease may not directly benefit from ConnectedSolutions (the third-party owner may claim it), so ask your installer about the specifics.
RI net metering credits solar production at 80% of the retail rate for systems interconnected after April 2023. Grandfathered systems receive 1:1 retail credit. The annual cap is 125% of your usage. Net metering applies equally to all RI Energy customers regardless of income. For a 9 kW system producing 10,800 kWh/year at $0.29/kWh, annual NEM credits are approximately $2,506 (at 80% retail).
RI has growing community solar options, with some projects including LMI carve-outs that reserve capacity for qualifying low-income households at enhanced savings rates. Typical community solar saves 5-15% on your electric bill with no upfront cost. LMI subscribers may receive additional discounts. Check with community solar providers in your RI Energy territory for current availability.
Timeline varies by pathway. For cash or loan purchase with REF rebate: 2-4 months from first quote to producing solar. Add 1-2 months if pursuing REG enrollment (need to wait for annual open enrollment). For PPA/lease (Section 48 TPO): 2-4 months. For community solar: subscriptions can begin within 1-2 billing cycles. If pursuing weatherization first, add 2-3 months for the CAP agency process. Plan for 3-6 months total.
RI Solar Guide 2026
Complete overview of solar programs, costs, and incentives in RI.
RI Solar Panel Cost 2026
Detailed cost breakdown by city and system size.
Section 48 Homeowner Guide
How third-party ownership makes solar $0 down in RI.
REG Program 2026
$0.27/kWh guaranteed for 15-20 years. Full REG guide.
RI Community Solar
No-rooftop solar option for renters, condos, and shaded roofs.
REF Rebate Guide
$0.65/W rebate + $2,000 battery adder. How to apply.
Rhode Island offers strong solar incentives for all homeowners, plus energy assistance for qualifying households. Start with a free assessment to see which programs you can access.
Free, no-obligation assessment. We will help you identify which RI programs you qualify for.