Federal solar credit ended Dec 31, 2025
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Net metering · Rhode Island

Rhode Island Net Metering and Solar Export Credits

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Updated Data verified Nov 5, 2026

Net metering. Rhode Island Energy must net meter rooftop solar. Output up to your own usage in each billing period earns a renewable net-metering credit worth the per-kWh supply (last resort service), distribution, transmission and transition charges. Since a 2025 law (effective June 27, 2025), production above your monthly usage earns only the wholesale ISO-New England energy clearing price instead of the old avoided-cost rate. A credit balance left after the annual reconciliation can be cashed out.

On this page [ 4 ]

State rules that apply

  • What the rule says: “excess renewable net-metering credits shall be equal to the wholesale electricity rate, which is hereby declared to be the ISO-New England energy clearing price”[1]

What it means for sizing and batteries

When exports earn close to the retail price, sizing the system to cover your yearly use is usually the best value, and a battery is mainly for backup rather than savings.

The calculator uses the statewide rule until we add utility rates. See what solar costs in Rhode Island.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Does Rhode Island have net metering?

Rhode Island Energy must net meter rooftop solar. Output up to your own usage in each billing period earns a renewable net-metering credit worth the per-kWh supply (last resort service), distribution, transmission and transition charges. Since a 2025 law (effective June 27, 2025), production above your monthly usage earns only the wholesale ISO-New England energy clearing price instead of the old avoided-cost rate. A credit balance left after the annual reconciliation can be cashed out.

sources

[ 1 ]

Every number on this page links to one of these sources. Dates show when we last checked each one.

  1. R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-26.4-2(8) (as amended by P.L. 2025, ch. 256 and ch. 269, effective June 27, 2025), read via web.archive.org snapshot of 2026-10-14 (rilegislature.gov refuses direct fetches)webserver.rilegislature.gov · checked Nov 5, 2026

Tariffs last re-checked November 5, 2026.

Change log

  1. Monthly output per kW in Providence updated to [83.2, 87.1, 118.2, 128.1, 135.1, 128.8, 138.2, 128.2, 114.1, 95.4, 70.9, 66.4] kWh/kW/month (NREL/NLR PVWatts v8 (1 kW-DC, fixed roof mount, 20° tilt, south-facing, 14% losses, TMY weather)).
  2. Average solar radiation on the panels in Providence updated to 4.7 kWh/m2/day (NREL/NLR PVWatts v8 (1 kW-DC, fixed roof mount, 20° tilt, south-facing, 14% losses, TMY weather)).
  3. Solar output per kW in Rhode Island (PVWatts, Providence) updated to 1293.6 kWh/kW/yr (NREL/NLR PVWatts v8 (1 kW-DC, fixed roof mount, 20° tilt, south-facing, 14% losses, TMY weather)).
  4. What the rule says updated to “excess renewable net-metering credits shall be equal to the wholesale electricity rate, which is hereby declared to be the ISO-New England energy clearing price” (R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-26.4-2(8) (as amended by P.L. 2025, ch. 256 and ch. 269, effective June 27, 2025), read via web.archive.org snapshot of 2026-10-14 (rilegislature.gov refuses direct fetches)).