Solar Opportunities - Rhode Island

Solar Offerings and Incentives

Rhode Island offers a few financing and tax incentives. These incentives are explained in more detail below.

State Sales and Use Tax Exemption  

Rhode Island has a sales and use tax exemption that applies to solar electric systems. Owners of these systems are 100% relieved of sales and use taxes associated with them. More information can be found here. 

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing

This program allows homeowners to borrow money to make energy improvements, including installing solar panels. PACE financing is adopted by municipality so make sure to check with your local government to see if there is a program established. More information can be found here.   

Local Option - Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems   

Rhode Island allows cities and towns to exempt renewable energy systems from property taxes. Because solar energy systems usually add value to your property, this exemption keeps the cost of having a system low. To see if your town has adopted this exemption please check with your local government. More information can be found here.

Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

A federal-level investment tax credit (ITC) is now available to consumers wanting to purchase small wind turbines, solar panels, or geothermal heat pumps.  The ITC, written into law through the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, is available for equipment installed from Oct. 3, 2008 through Dec. 31, 2016. The credit covers 30% of the equipment cost, though some technologies have a credit cap of $2000. More details and a complete list of eligible technologies can be found here.