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Do I still pay Rhode Island Energy if I have solar?

Published Oct 28, 2026 · By No BS Clean Energy · Sources below

On this page
  1. The short answer
  2. Why is there still a bill?
  3. What do credits cover?
  4. What if I choose REG instead?
  5. What should I check before signing?

The short answer

Yes. Solar can lower the parts of your bill that are based on how much power you use. But RI Energy still sends a bill, and fixed monthly charges stay$11.25$11.25 a monthMonthly customer charge on the basic home rate (A-16)You pay this every month, even when your panels cover all your power. Net metering credits don't pay it down.RI Energy, Summary of Retail Delivery Rates, R.I.P.U.C. No. 2095 (effective 10/1/2026)A-16 Customer Charge row, Total Delivery Charges: $11.25 (Billing Distribution $7.47 + RE Growth $3.00 + LIHEAP $0.78). Effective 10/1/2026.Verified Oct 28, 2026. Net metering credits do not wipe those out.

If your panels make less than you use, you also pay for the extra power from the grid.

Why is there still a bill?

Your home stays tied to RI Energy’s wires. That is true even when your solar covers a bright month. The bill keeps track of service charges, power from the grid, and any solar credits.

The basic home rate has a customer charge. $11.25 a month$11.25$11.25 a monthMonthly customer charge on the basic home rate (A-16)You pay this every month, even when your panels cover all your power. Net metering credits don't pay it down.RI Energy, Summary of Retail Delivery Rates, R.I.P.U.C. No. 2095 (effective 10/1/2026)A-16 Customer Charge row, Total Delivery Charges: $11.25 (Billing Distribution $7.47 + RE Growth $3.00 + LIHEAP $0.78). Effective 10/1/2026.Verified Oct 28, 2026 That charge is not based on how much power you use. It is there because your account stays open and connected.

Do not trust a quote that says your bill goes away. Ask the seller to show which charges remain after solar credits.

What do credits cover?

Under net metering, Credited at the supply and delivery parts of your rate. Fixed monthly charges stay.Credited at the supply and delivery parts of your rate. Fixed monthly charges stay.What your solar credit coversFixed monthly charges on your bill are not covered by credits.R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-26.4-2(22)§ 39-26.4-2(22)(i)-(iv), 'Renewable net-metering credit'Verified Sep 28, 2026. In plain English, credits count against the per-kWh pieces of the bill. They do not pay the customer charge.

For the basic home rate, the current net metering credit is 27.553¢ per kWh (Oct 2026, standard home rate A-16)27.553¢27.553¢ per kWh (Oct 2026, standard home rate A-16)Home solar credit per kWh, standard home rate A-16This changes when supply rates change. It shows on your bill as the renewable generation credit.RI Energy, Addendum to RIPUC Tariff No. 2095, Net Metering Credit by Rate Class, Oct 2026For the Month of October 2026. Row (21) Renewable Net Metering Credit, column A-16 (Fixed LRS): $(0.27553)Verified Oct 28, 2026. That number changes when RI Energy’s rates change, so check the source card before using it in a quote.

Unused credits can help later bills. Unused credits roll to next month. A leftover balance can be cashed out once a year.Unused credits roll to next month. A leftover balance can be cashed out once a year.How net metering credits roll overThe utility is allowed to carry credits forward but not required to. If you move, you can cash out the balance when you close the account.RI Energy, Net Metering Provision, RIPUC No. 2279 (effective 5/12/2026)Section 8.4, last sentence (month to month carry forward for residential systems 25 kW or smaller); Section 4.11 (single-metered systems 25 kW or less are outside the Eligible Reconciliation Pool); Section 5.4.2.4 (cash out once per year after the end of the applicable year)Verified Sep 28, 2026 That can smooth out months when your panels make more than your home uses.

What if I choose REG instead?

REG is different from net metering. REG replaces net metering. You get one or the other.REG replaces net metering. You get one or the other.Does REG work with net metering?A system already on net metering can't join REG. Ask in writing who receives REG's cash part; RI Energy's documents differ on it.RI Energy, RE Growth Program Tariff for Residential Customers, RIPUC No. 2151-M (effective 4/1/2026)Sheets 6-7, project segmentation paragraphVerified Sep 28, 2026 That means the bill math changes, and the payment rules are not the same.

If a quote mentions REG, ask for a written bill example. It should show the RI Energy bill, the expected credits or payments, and who receives any cash part.

What should I check before signing?

Ask for a sample bill in writing. It should show:

  • the fixed customer charge
  • how solar credits apply to the per-kWh charges
  • what happens in a low-sun month
  • what happens when credits roll over
  • whether the quote assumes net metering or REG

Keep that sample with the contract. If the numbers on the proposal do not match the RI Energy bill rules, get the answer fixed before you sign.

Sources

  1. RI Energy, Summary of Retail Delivery Rates, R.I.P.U.C. No. 2095 (effective 10/1/2026). Read Oct 28, 2026.
  2. R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-26.4-2. Read Sep 28, 2026.
  3. RI Energy, Net Metering Provision, RIPUC No. 2279 (effective 5/12/2026). Read Sep 28, 2026.
  4. RI Energy, Addendum to RIPUC Tariff No. 2095, Net Metering Credit by Rate Class, Oct 2026. Read Oct 28, 2026.
  5. RI Energy, RE Growth Program Tariff for Residential Customers, RIPUC No. 2151-M (effective 4/1/2026). Read Sep 28, 2026.