Learn About Solar
Your solar options
We’re committed to leading the clean energy transition while providing affordable, reliable options for our customers, like solar power.
Whether you’re a homeowner or renter, solar energy reduces electricity costs, minimizes your carbon footprint, and allows you to generate your own power. If installing solar isn’t an option, participating in RI Energy Community Solar is a great option to save on your bills while helping promote clean energy. Rhode Island Energy helps you save money by subscribing to a solar farm share with no upfront cost.
Go solar with confidence
We've partnered with EnergySage to help you compare options and make an informed decision about solar.
We’ll help you take steps to:
- Determine if a home solar PV (photovoltaic) system is right for you
- Obtain multiple quotes from pre-screened, local installers
- Review local Community Solar subscription options
- Make a confident decision with guidance from your dedicated Energy Advisor
- Get a fair price for solar
- No phone calls are required
Why install solar panels?
Save on monthly electric bills. Solar panels can help to reduce your electricity bill and provide long-term savings.
Generate energy. With solar panels on top of your roof, you can generate your own electricity.
Protect yourself from fluctuating energy costs. Across the country, the rising price of energy continues to be a concern. When you purchase a solar panel system, you effectively lock in your electricity rate for 25+ years.
Protect the environment. Solar is a clean, renewable source of energy and an essential contributor to decarbonizing the energy running through our electric network. By installing a solar panel system, the average home can eliminate three to four tons of carbon emissions each year, which is equivalent to planting over 100 trees per year.
Increase your property value. Studies have shown that homes with solar panels sell quickly and at a higher value than comparable non-solar homes.
Installing solar panels
When it comes to installing solar on your property, there are three primary questions to consider:
- What equipment do you want to install?
- How do you want to finance your solar panel system?
- Which installation company works best for you?
Key facts to keep in mind
Equipment
The key components to a solar installation are solar panels, inverters, batteries, and mounting equipment.
Not all solar energy equipment is created equal. Panels, inverters, and batteries come with different warranties, efficiencies, certifications, and more.
Premium equipment options often come with a higher price tag but may generate more solar electricity than standard options. Solar panel systems that can provide energy to your home during a grid outage are more costly to install and require additional equipment.
Equipment manufacturers warranty their products for 10-30 years.
Financing options
There are $0-down financing options available for going solar. You can finance a solar panel system through a loan or lease or purchase one upfront.
Solar financing products have different terms, interest rates, and down payments. Installation companies typically partner with specialized lenders who provide solar financing options, but you can also obtain a loan from your preferred lender.
Installation company
Installers vary in terms of experience, reputation, company size, certifications, and warranty offered. Most solar installers offer a workmanship warranty of at least 10 years. Reputable installers have online reviews and can offer contact information for references.
Frequently asked questions
Who can sign up for community solar?
Anyone paying an electric bill can join a community solar project.
A community solar project is a solar farm in your area you can subscribe to and earn savings on your electric bill. A community solar subscription is a great option for renters or anyone who is unable to install panels on their property.
How do solar panels work?
Solar panels are made of silicon. When sunlight hits a solar panel, electrons in the silicon begin to move, initiating the flow of direct current (DC) electricity. A solar inverter will convert the DC electricity into usable alternating current (AC) for your home.
How do I calculate the solar potential of my property?
You can use EnergySage’s Solar Calculator to estimate solar costs and savings on your property. To calculate your savings, you'll input your address, confirm your roof condition, and enter your average monthly electricity cost.
How many solar panels do I need?
Every solar panel system is unique. The number of panels you’ll need depends on how much electricity you want to generate, the efficiency of the equipment, the size of your roof, and your geography. Installers will calculate the system size during an in-person visit before scheduling your installation.
What is Net Energy Metering (NEM)?
Net Energy Metering, or Net Metering, a solar incentive, allows you to send any excess electricity your solar panels produce back to the grid for credits. You can draw electricity from the grid and use these credits at night when your solar panel system is not generating energy.
If your solar panel system produces more than you used in each billing cycle, we will add credits to use on a future electric bill. Alternatively, if you use more electricity than your solar panel system generates in a billing cycle, we will charge you standard electricity rates for the “net” energy you used from the grid during that month.
Will I still receive an electric bill if I have solar panels?
Yes, fixed charges associated with maintaining your connection to the electric grid allow us to maintain and improve the system and respond to emergencies. If you use more energy than your solar system generates, you will be charged for the additional kWh.
What is the initial cost of a home solar panel system?
The cost to install solar panels will depend on multiple factors, including your location, the type of equipment you choose, the size of the system, how you finance the system, and your installer. Fortunately, there are $0-down options available including both loan and lease arrangements.
Are there incentives available for installing solar?
There are currently both federal and state incentives available for going solar. If you purchase a solar panel system this year, a 30% tax credit is available through the Inflation Reduction Act.
In addition, Rhode Island residents who purchase a solar panel system do not have to pay tax on the cost of the system or taxes for increased property value.
Find solar incentives and rebates
Should I buy or lease a solar panel system?
You can save money by going solar with an upfront purchase, loan, or lease. Before financing a solar panel system, it’s important to compare terms, down payments, rates, available incentives, and overall savings.
Will my solar panel system provide backup power to my home during an outage?
Solar panel systems that provide backup power during outages require additional equipment including a battery, which will increase the overall cost. Explore the costs and benefits of backup power systems to determine what makes the most sense for your energy needs.
Should I install a solar battery?
A solar battery can store extra solar electricity at home instead of feeding it back to the grid. Solar batteries are an excellent source of backup power in the event of a grid outage. Adding a battery to your solar panel system will cost more upfront, but you’ll be eligible for multiple incentives and programs that will help minimize overall spending.
Discover the benefits of solar batteries
As a renter, can I go solar?
You can’t install a solar panel system on your roof if you don’t own the building. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t go solar. Community solar is a great way for renters to support local clean energy projects and save money on electricity bills. You don’t need to install any equipment or sign a long-term contract to subscribe to a local community solar project.
Is rooftop or community solar a better option for me?
Community solar is a great option if you’re a renter, if your roof is unsuitable for solar panels, or if you’re looking for an easy, low-commitment way to support solar and save on electric bills. Alternatively, if your home is a good fit for solar installation, you’ll save more money in the long run by installing a system on your property.