Rhode Island solar 101: must read before you buy solar panels

Last updated 12.02.21

Rhode Island State 55 solar panels available

  • $2.11 / W Average gross price of a solar power system as of May 2023
  • 5 years Average system payback period
  • $55 425 Average savings from going solar in Rhode Island
  • 9 ¢ / kWh Levelized cost of solar energy
  • 3.79 kW Recommended system size

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in Rhode Island

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Rhode Island #35 in the US
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What our happy customers say

I ordered 7 very nice solar panels that work well. Delivery went well, I gave 4 stars because it was really expensive to ship.
ashley crawford
Via Google
May 29, 2023
We highly recommend their assistance as they played a crucial role in resolving the issue with our home solar panels. Their enthusiasm and usefulness were remarkable.
Yuhan Yang
Via Google
May 29, 2023
Took excellent care of large order
redhawk abcabc
Via Google
May 26, 2023
Super easy to order and the shipping was so fast! No items were damaged and ready for installation. Ordered 20 Canadian Solar 395W for my house roof installation. Easy to install, highly recommend. Neighbors asked for referral and plan to purchase for their house too.
LELEINIA MOORE LLAMAS
Via Google
May 26, 2023
I have a solar system installed made of qcells 400W solar panels, One of the panels recently got broken and I need to replace it, at a1solarstore I found the exact panel almost 7 miles near me so I picked it up 2 days ago, and all went good.
salma nazzal
Via Google
May 23, 2023
I was in need of new solar panels and found A1 SolarStore while surfing the web. I ordered 13 pieces of REC 360W solar panels at a fairly reasonable price, and also ordered their liftgate service at checkout. everything was very easy and intuitive. I highly recommend A1 SolarStore!
Jesse Tang
Via Google
May 22, 2023

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Solar laws, incentives and rebates in Rhode Island you need to know

Save 30% of your PV system cost with Federal Solar Tax Credit

The US government wants more people to go solar: it’s a modern and green way of getting energy. This is why the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) program was developed. It allows American citizens to claim 30% of the cost of their installation as an income tax deduction. The cost here is not only solar panels, but also shipping, installation expenses and more. For example, if your system overall made you spend $10,000, the government returns you $3,000. To claim the ITC, complete all the necessary forms and submit them when filing your taxes.

Sell excess electricity with Net Metering Program

The Net Metering policy in Rhode Island has made it easier for the customers to sell unused electricity back to the grid instead of storing the energy in batteries. Your PV system will pay for itself primarily through the Net Metering program. You gain credits by selling solar energy that you haven’t used into the commercial grid. The credit value in Rhode Island is equal to the full retail electricity price of your provider. Unused credits have no expiration date, they will roll over to the next month and can help offset future electricity usage.

Renewable Energy Growth Program

If you are installing a new solar energy system in Rhode Island, you can get some of the costs back by applying for the Renewable Energy Growth (RE Growth) Program. RE Growth offers financial benefits to National Grid customers which depend on the amount of electricity their systems generate. Those participating in the REG incentive receive 28.75 cents for each kilowatt-hour their solar panel system produces during the first 15 years. National Grid provides bill credits and monthly cash payments. The value of this offer certainly stands out when compared to the regular retail rate of about 19 cents per kWh. This program is not compatible with Net Metering since it uses a feed-in tariff.

Raise your property value but not your taxes

Rhode Island property owners will not have to pay any additional property taxes on the added value their solar system brings to their home due to the property tax exemption for renewable energy systems. Rhode Island ensures any new PV system installed will not be part of your property tax. However, any such home improvement will definitely make it about 4% more valuable on the property market, says the 2019 Zillow report.

Protect your solar panels from shade with Solar Easements

A solar easement contract is a written agreement between you and another party, for example, your neighbor. This type of contract helps to ensure that your PV system will always have adequate sun exposure, protecting you from potential obstacles. It is voluntary, but can not be canceled unless a specific clause is included in the document. Once signed, it is tied to the land, not the owner.

Install your solar panels in Rhode Island with no worries

It is legal to install solar panels on your house in Rhode Island. However, you may face some restrictions when installing a solar PV system. It’s best to contact your homeowner’s association (HOAs) or community organizing body to be certain of any regulations that may be in your area. HOAs in Rhode Island define a neighborhood’s aesthetic rules. You may have to submit your project for approval before changing the exterior of your house. The board may ask you to hide the system from view, reduce the number of panels or just reject your proposal.

Solar panels help Rhode Island survive hurricanes

Storm activity is typical from June 1st through November 30th. Located right on the east coast, Rhode Island residents should always be prepared for a hurricane.  Solar panels are manufactured to withstand most hurricanes, and in any power outage solar panels will help you survive a blackout. In 2011, Hurricane Irene left 256,000 out of 480,281 customers without power across Rhode Island. As stated by the Environmental Protection Agency, our climate is changing and natural disasters are becoming more frequent, but by powering your home with solar energy you will no longer have to worry about blackouts.

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