REF vs REG: which Rhode Island solar program pays more?

The short answer

REG can pay more over time if your system makes a lot of power. REF is simpler cash help up front: up to $14,500$14,500The most the solar grant can payThe grant is paid to your installer, who takes it off your contract price.RI Commerce, Renewable Energy Fund, Small-Scale Request for Projects (rev. 4/6/26)Project Funding table, Max column: '$14,500/project'Verified Oct 28, 2026 comes off the contract price. You cannot use both. REF and REG can't be combinedPick one. REF and REG can't be combined.Can you use the grant and REG together?RI Commerce, Renewable Energy Fund, Small-Scale Request for Projects (rev. 4/6/26)Things to know, bullet 1Verified Oct 28, 2026.

What does REF pay?

REF is the state grant. For home solar, the important part is that the grant is paid to your installer and comes off your contract priceThe grant is paid to your installer and comes off your contract price.How the grant money movesAsk to see the grant amount and what you owe after it on your contract.RI Commerce, Renewable Energy Fund, Small-Scale Request for Projects (rev. 4/6/26)Project application requirements: an executed turnkey contract, contingent on REF funding, showing total cost, the REF grant amount and the net owedVerified Oct 28, 2026. That makes it easier to understand than a production program: you see the grant line on the contract before the job starts.

The tradeoff is eligibility. You must own the home and the systemYou must own the home and the system. Leases and PPAs don't qualify.Who can get the grantYou must also own the property, and it must be in Rhode Island.RI Commerce, Renewable Energy Fund, Small-Scale Request for Projects (rev. 4/6/26)Things to know, bullet 6Verified Oct 28, 2026. REF also goes with net metering, not REG. If your quote uses REF, ask the installer to show the grant amount and the price after the grant in writing.

What does REG pay?

REG pays for the power the panels make. For smaller home systems, the current rate is 31.55¢ per kWh for 15 years31.55¢31.55¢ per kWh for 15 yearsREG pay rate: systems up to 15 kW, 15-year termFor the program year April 2026 to March 2027. Your rate is locked in for the full term once you enroll.RI Energy, RE Growth Solicitation and Enrollment Process Rules for Small-Scale Solar (effective 4/1/2026)Schedule 2, 'Small-Scale Solar I (>0-15 kW DC)', page 12Verified Sep 28, 2026. Larger small-scale systems use 28.65¢ per kWh for 20 years28.65¢28.65¢ per kWh for 20 yearsREG pay rate: systems 15 to 25 kW, 20-year termSystem size sets the term. You don't choose it.RI Energy, RE Growth Solicitation and Enrollment Process Rules for Small-Scale Solar (effective 4/1/2026)Schedule 2, 'Small-Scale Solar II (>15-25 kW DC)', page 12Verified Sep 28, 2026. Those rates are locked once the system is enrolled.

REG changes how your bill works. 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 you do not get REF plus net metering. You get the REG structure instead.

There is one detail to pin down before you sign. RI Energy's rules say the cash payment goes to the customer, but its flyer says the applicantYou get a bill credit for power you use, and the rest is paid in cash. RI Energy's rules say the cash goes to you as the customer, but its flyer says the applicant, so get it in writing.Who gets REG's cash paymentIf an installer files for you, ask in writing who receives the cash part before you sign.RI Energy, RE Growth Solicitation and Enrollment Process Rules for Small-Scale Solar (effective 4/1/2026)Section 1 overview: 'the remainder of the PBI payment will be paid to the customer' (residential). The 2026 one-pager says 'the applicant will be paid the remaining Performance-Based Incentive'.Verified Sep 28, 2026. If an installer files for you, ask who will be the applicant and who receives the cash part.

Which one should I compare?

Compare REF when you want the contract price reduced at the start and you qualify as the owner. Compare REG when you can wait for value over time and you are clear on who gets the cash part.

Do not compare them as if they stack. They do not. A quote that counts both is using bad math.

Also check program room and dates. REG has 3 MW3 MW3 MW (DC) for the whole stateTotal room in REG for small solar this yearFirst come, first served, across the whole state.RI Energy, RE Growth Solicitation and Enrollment Process Rules for Small-Scale Solar (effective 4/1/2026)Schedule 1, Approved Small-Scale Solar Annual MW Target (Small-Scale Solar I and II combined)Verified Sep 28, 2026 for small solar statewide this program year, and the posted program year runs until March 31, 2027March 31, 2027Last day to apply for REG this yearOr sooner, when the statewide program fills. A complete application is due by 4 p.m. Eastern.RI Energy, 2026 Small-Scale Solar RE Growth Program one-pagerHow It Works, bullet 4Verified Sep 28, 2026 or until it fills. REF has rounds and can close sooner when money runs out, so the right answer can change by date.

What should I ask the installer?

Ask for a written side-by-side page that shows the REF price after grant and the REG bill treatment. It should answer these questions:

• Which program is the quote using?
• Who applies?
• Who receives any cash part?
• Does the quote assume net metering or REG?
• What happens if the program fills before your application is complete?

If the answer is vague, do not treat the savings claim as real yet.