Rhode Island Solar Power Save $15,000+ on Your Energy Bill

Take control of your home's energy future.

The local-first way for Rhode Island homeowners to compare vetted solar installers, maximize RE Growth payments, and stack REF grants.

Personalized savings estimates for Rhode Island residents
Only vetted installers who serve your ZIP code
No high-pressure sales calls — ever

SSL secure Rhode Island local NABCEP-certified installers

Personalized savings estimates for Rhode Island residents
Only vetted installers who serve your ZIP code
No high-pressure sales calls — ever

$15K+

Avg. lifetime savings

RI sales tax on solar

27.4¢

Avg. RI kWh rate

60 sec

Free savings quiz

Rhode Island Solar Incentives — Stack Them All

RI punches above its weight with one of the best renewable energy fund grant programs in the region. Combined, these incentives typically cut a Rhode Island homeowner's net cost dramatically.

Rebate

Renewable Energy Fund (REF) Grant

Upfront cash grants from Rhode Island Commerce help reduce out-of-pocket costs for residential solar installations.

Production Incentive

Renewable Energy Growth Program

Lock in fixed, above-market production payments for 15–20 years for every kWh your system generates — a stable long-term income stream.

Net Metering

Full-Retail Net Metering

Excess solar energy sent back to the grid is credited at the full retail rate on future Rhode Island Energy bills.

Exemption

Property Tax Exemption

Solar boosts home value, but Rhode Island won't tax the added value of your system.

Exemption

Sales Tax Exemption

No 7% Rhode Island sales tax on solar equipment — savings start the day you sign.

Why Rhode Island is a smart state to go solar

Rhode Island homeowners face some of the highest electricity rates in the country — often topping 27¢ per kilowatt-hour through Rhode Island Energy. Pair that with the state's REF grant program and the RE Growth production incentive and residential solar pays for itself faster here than in most of the Northeast. A typical 7–10 kW system on a Rhode Island home offsets nearly all of an average electric bill while generating production payments for up to 20 years.

Rhode Island town with solar panels on colonial-style homes during autumn foliage — Rhode Island homes are uniquely well-suited to solar — high rates, strong incentives, and roofs built for it.

The Rhode Island incentive stack in plain English

Rhode Island stacks upfront REF grants, fixed RE Growth production payments for 15–20 years, full-retail net metering, a 7% sales tax exemption on solar equipment, and a property tax exemption on the added home value your system creates.

Built for Rhode Island homes

From colonials in Providence and Cranston to coastal homes in Newport and South County and farmhouses in Washington County, Rhode Island roofs vary widely. We connect you with installers who actually understand New England roofs — snow-load engineering, salt-air corrosion considerations, tree-shading analysis, battery backup for nor'easter season, and EV-charger integration.

Rhode Island Solar FAQs

Is solar power worth it in Rhode Island?: Yes. Rhode Island has some of the highest electricity rates in the country (often 27¢+/kWh) plus generous state programs like REF grants and the RE Growth production program. Most RI homeowners reach payback in 7–10 years and save $15,000–$30,000+ over the system's lifetime.
How much do solar panels cost in Rhode Island in 2026?: A typical 7–10 kW Rhode Island home solar system runs $21,000–$30,000 before incentives. After Rhode Island programs and rebates, most homeowners pay $18,000–$28,000 net — often financeable for less than a current Rhode Island Energy bill.
Which Rhode Island utilities offer net metering?: Rhode Island Energy (formerly National Grid RI) offers full-retail residential net metering for most homeowners across the state.
How long does it take to install solar in RI?: From contract to permission-to-operate, most Rhode Island solar projects take 8–14 weeks. That includes engineering, town building department permits, installation (1–3 days), inspection, and interconnection.
Do you install solar yourselves?: No — we connect Rhode Island homeowners with vetted local installers. That keeps our advice unbiased and lets you compare apples-to-apples quotes on your own terms.

Is My Home Solar Ready? →

All state solar incentives