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Rhode Island's Community Remote Net Metering (CRNM) program lets you save 10-15% on your RI Energy bill by subscribing to a local solar farm. No rooftop installation, no credit check, no upfront cost. Ideal for renters, condo owners, shaded roofs, and historic homes.
275 MW
Current CRNM Cap
10-15%
Typical Bill Savings
$0
Upfront Cost
+40 MW
CRNM v2 Expansion
Community Remote Net Metering (CRNM) is Rhode Island's program that allows RI Energy customers to subscribe to a share of an off-site solar farm and receive virtual net metering credits on their electric bill. Instead of installing panels on your roof, you get solar savings from a professionally managed solar farm located elsewhere in Rhode Island.
With rooftop solar, panels on your home generate electricity that offsets your bill directly. With CRNM community solar, an off-site solar farm generates electricity, feeds it into the RI Energy grid, and you receive virtual credits on your bill based on your subscribed share. You never touch, install, or maintain any equipment.
Choose a community solar project operating under CRNM in Rhode Island. No upfront cost, no credit check in most programs.
The off-site solar farm produces clean energy and delivers it to the RI Energy grid. Your share of production is tracked.
Virtual net metering credits are applied directly to your monthly RI Energy bill, reducing the amount you owe.
You pay a subscription rate that is lower than the credit value, guaranteeing you save 10-15% on electricity every month.
What are virtual net metering credits?
Virtual net metering credits are monetary credits applied to your RI Energy bill based on the solar energy your subscribed share of the farm produces. They appear as a line item on your bill, reducing the total amount owed. You pay the community solar provider a subscription fee that is less than the credit value, guaranteeing a net saving on every bill.
Any residential or commercial customer with an active RI Energy account is eligible for community solar through CRNM. There is no requirement to own your home, have a suitable roof, or pass a credit check.
Eligibility requirement: Active RI Energy residential or commercial electricity account. That is it.
No landlord permission needed. No roof modifications. Just subscribe and save on your RI Energy bill.
Shared roofs and HOA rules are not a barrier. Community solar requires zero installation at your unit.
Trees, orientation, or small roof area making rooftop solar inefficient? Your community solar farm is professionally sited for maximum production.
Rhode Island has thousands of historic properties where roof modifications are restricted. Community solar avoids this entirely.
Structural issues, roof age, aesthetic preferences, or simply not wanting panels on your home. Community solar is your path to solar savings.
No upfront cost, no equipment to maintain, and guaranteed net savings on every bill. Lower risk than any other solar option.
Community solar savings in Rhode Island come from the difference between your virtual net metering credit value and the subscription fee you pay. The subscription fee is always lower than the credit, guaranteeing a net saving each month.
Your Monthly RI Energy Bill
$200
Virtual Net Metering Credit
-$50
Community Solar Subscription Fee
+$42
Your Net Monthly Savings
$8/mo
= $96/year, or roughly 4% off this example bill
Example is illustrative. Actual savings of 10-15% depend on your bill size, subscription share, and provider terms. Higher electric bills see proportionally more dollar savings.
Upfront Cost
$0 — no investment, no deposits
Typical Savings
10-15% off the electricity portion of your bill
How Credits Work
Virtual net metering credits appear on your RI Energy bill
Payment Model
Subscription fee is always less than credit value
RI Energy Rate
~$0.29/kWh (among the highest in the US)
Seasonal Variation
Credits may be higher in summer (more sun) and lower in winter
Rhode Island's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is developing CRNM v2, which will add approximately 40 MW of additional community solar capacity beyond the existing 275 MW cap. This expansion is expected to launch in the 2026-2027 timeframe.
Why does the v2 expansion matter?
The existing 275 MW CRNM cap is largely subscribed. As demand for community solar grows (especially with the residential tax credit expiring), additional capacity means more Rhode Islanders can access solar savings without rooftop installations. If you are interested in community solar, securing a spot sooner rather than later is wise, as available capacity can be limited.
Subscribing to community solar in Rhode Island is straightforward. No equipment is installed at your property, no home inspection is needed, and the entire process can often be completed online.
You need an active residential or commercial RI Energy account. Renters, condo owners, and homeowners all qualify.
Search for community solar providers operating CRNM projects in Rhode Island. Compare subscription rates and contract terms.
Read the contract carefully before signing. Key items to check: subscription rate, contract length, cancellation terms, and what happens if you move.
Provide your RI Energy account number. Activation typically takes 1-2 billing cycles. Once active, virtual net metering credits appear automatically on your bill.
Timeline
From signup to first bill credit, expect approximately 1-2 billing cycles (30-60 days). The process is entirely administrative with no physical installation required at your property.
Both options let you access solar energy, but they serve different situations. Community solar is the only option for many Rhode Islanders who cannot install rooftop panels. Here is how they compare.
| Feature | Community Solar (CRNM) | Rooftop Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | $0 | $27,000-$38,000 (RI avg) |
| Installation required | No | Yes (roof modifications) |
| Roof ownership needed | No | Yes |
| Available to renters | Yes | No |
| Typical bill savings | 10-15% | 50-80% |
| Equipment maintenance | None (provider handles) | Homeowner responsibility |
| Contract length | 12-25 months | 25+ years (ownership) |
| Federal tax credit (25D) | N/A (expired) | N/A (expired Dec 2025) |
| Home value increase | No | Yes (~4% avg) |
| REG program income | No (project owner receives REG) | Yes (15-year payments) |
| Net metering credits | Virtual (CRNM) | Direct (standard NM) |
| Moving flexibility | Transfer or cancel | Stays with house |
| Credit check required | Usually no | Yes (for financing) |
Several New England states have community solar programs. Rhode Island's CRNM has unique features including a single utility (RI Energy), virtual net metering credits, and an upcoming v2 expansion. Here is how it stacks up against neighboring states.
| State | Program | Capacity | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | CRNM | 275 MW | 10-15% |
| Massachusetts | SMART 3.0 Community Shared | 600+ MW | 10-20% |
| Connecticut | Shared Clean Energy Facilities | Growing | 5-20% |
| New Jersey | CSEP | 750+ MW | 10-40% |
Single Utility Simplicity
RI Energy serves virtually all residential customers. No confusion about which utility territory you are in.
Virtual Net Metering
Credits appear directly on your RI Energy bill. No separate payments or complicated accounting.
High Electric Rates
At ~$0.29/kWh, RI has some of the highest electricity rates in the US. Even a 10-15% discount means real dollar savings.
v2 Expansion Coming
The 40 MW CRNM v2 expansion will create additional subscriber capacity for Rhode Islanders.
Section 25D expired December 31, 2025. Even when it was active, it did not apply to community solar subscriptions for residential customers. Your savings come from bill credits, not tax deductions.
Discount rates, contract lengths (typically 12-25 months), and cancellation policies vary between providers. Some contracts may have early termination fees. Confirm what happens if you move.
Virtual net metering credits depend on how much energy the solar farm produces. Sunny summer months will generate larger credits than cloudy winter months. Annual savings average out over the year.
Unlike rooftop solar, which can add approximately 4% to home value, community solar is a subscription service. If you sell your home, you cancel or transfer the subscription but do not realize a property value benefit.
Community solar typically saves 10-15% versus 50-80% for rooftop solar. The trade-off is $0 upfront cost, no installation, and accessibility for renters and those with unsuitable roofs.
Answers to the most common questions about community solar in Rhode Island.
CRNM is Rhode Island's community solar program that allows RI Energy customers to subscribe to a share of an off-site solar farm and receive virtual net metering credits on their electricity bill. You do not need to install any panels on your property. The program has a current capacity cap of 275 MW, with an additional 40 MW (CRNM v2) under PUC development.
Most RI community solar subscribers save between 10% and 15% on the electricity portion of their RI Energy bill. The exact savings depend on the subscription rate offered by the community solar provider and how much energy the solar farm produces. There is no upfront cost to subscribe.
No. Community solar is available to renters, condo owners, apartment dwellers, and homeowners. This is one of its biggest advantages: if you cannot install rooftop panels for any reason, community solar gives you access to solar energy savings through virtual net metering credits.
The federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired on December 31, 2025. Even when it was active, it did not apply to community solar subscriptions for residential customers. Community solar savings come from bill credits at a discounted rate, not tax deductions.
CRNM v2 is a proposed expansion of Rhode Island's community solar program that would add approximately 40 MW of additional capacity. It is currently under development by the RI Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and is expected to launch in the 2026-2027 timeframe. This expansion will open more community solar spots for RI Energy customers.
Post-ITC reality: REG program, REF rebate, net metering guaranteed through 2039. Real cost and payback data.
Read guideClean Heat RI rebates up to $18,000 income-eligible. ARPA deadline December 2026.
Read guideComplete cost breakdown for mini-splits, ducted, and hybrid systems in Rhode Island.
Read guideWhether you choose community solar or rooftop, get a personalized analysis for your RI property.
Read guideWhether community solar through CRNM or a rooftop system with REG and net metering, Rhode Island has strong options for going solar in 2026. NuWatt Energy can help you evaluate the best path for your situation.