What solar costs in Rhode Island in 2026

The short answer

On EnergySage, home solar in Rhode Island costs $2.80$2.80$2.80 per watt (EnergySage average, Oct 2026)Average installed price in RI (marketplace quotes)EnergySage's average across quotes on its marketplace, for systems that average 11.69 kW. Not a state number. Your price per watt depends on your system.EnergySage, Solar cost in Rhode Island (third-party marketplace)Intro paragraph, 'As of October 2026' (page updated Oct 23, 2026)Verified Oct 28, 2026 per watt on average. For a system of 11.69 kW$32,686$32,686 for an average 11.69 kW system (EnergySage, Oct 2026)EnergySage average price for an average 11.69 kW systemA marketplace average before any grant.EnergySage, Solar cost in Rhode Island (third-party marketplace)Header summary and intro paragraph (range $27,783 to $37,589). Page updated Oct 23, 2026.Verified Oct 28, 2026, that comes to $32,686$32,686$32,686 for an average 11.69 kW system (EnergySage, Oct 2026)EnergySage average price for an average 11.69 kW systemA marketplace average before any grant.EnergySage, Solar cost in Rhode Island (third-party marketplace)Header summary and intro paragraph (range $27,783 to $37,589). Page updated Oct 23, 2026.Verified Oct 28, 2026. EnergySage puts the range at $27,783$27,783$27,783 on the low endEnergySage low-end price for an average 11.69 kW systemEnergySage's marketplace figure, before any grant.EnergySage, Solar cost in Rhode Island (third-party marketplace)Intro paragraph ('prices range from $27,783 to $37,589') and price range table ('Good Price $27,783 or less'). Page updated Oct 23, 2026.Verified Oct 28, 2026 to $37,589$37,589$37,589 on the high endEnergySage high-end price for an average 11.69 kW systemEnergySage's marketplace figure, before any grant.EnergySage, Solar cost in Rhode Island (third-party marketplace)Intro paragraph ('prices range from $27,783 to $37,589') and price range table ('High Price $37,589 or more'). Page updated Oct 23, 2026.Verified Oct 28, 2026. These are prices before any grant. The state grant can take off 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.

These numbers come from EnergySage, a private marketplace. They are not state numbers. A kW is how solar systems are sized.

What does the grant take off?

Rhode Island's Renewable Energy Fund grant pays $1.65$1.65$1.65 per wattState grant per watt of solarThe state can change funding levels. It gives notice one round ahead.RI Commerce, Renewable Energy Fund, Small-Scale Request for Projects (rev. 4/6/26)Project Funding table, 'Starting Funding Year 2026', row D.O (Direct Ownership); also Small Scale Flyer, 'Current REF Incentive Levels'Verified Oct 28, 2026 per watt, 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. It stops growing at 8.8 kW8.8 kW8.8 kW (bigger systems get the max)System size where the grant tops outBased on the system's rated size. Bigger systems get the top amount.RI Commerce, Renewable Energy Fund, Small Scale Funding FlyerCurrent REF Incentive Levels table, Size columnVerified Oct 28, 2026, so bigger systems get the top amount. You must own the home and the system. Leases and PPAs don't qualify.You 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

Take the average system on EnergySage.

You don't get a check. The installer takes the grant off your contract price.

Why your quote may differ

An average is not your price. Four things can move a quote.

• More panels cost more in total, so compare quotes by the price per watt.
• A roof that needs repair has to be fixed before panels go on. A steep roof, or one with many angles, takes more work.
• Panel and inverter brands vary in price, and a battery adds to the total.
• Shade from trees and nearby buildings cuts how much power your panels make. The state grant also needs enough sun on your roof.

How long is the payback?

EnergySage puts the payback for solar in Rhode Island at 9.58 years9.58 yearsAbout 9.6 yearsEnergySage's estimated payback for solar in Rhode IslandThis is EnergySage's estimate, not ours. We don't know whether it counts the state REF grant.EnergySage, Solar cost in Rhode Island (third-party marketplace)Savings stats row: 'Payback period 9.58 Years'. Method sentence just above: 'factoring in system costs, electricity prices, available incentives, and inflation rates.' Page updated Oct 23, 2026.Verified Oct 28, 2026. That is EnergySage's figure, not ours. It says it counts the incentives on offer, but not which ones. We can't tell if it counts the state grant.

Your own payback depends on your price, your roof and how much power you use. Run the numbers for your home.

What costs stay?

Solar does not end your electric bill. On the basic home rate, RI Energy charges a customer charge of $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. Net metering credits don't pay it down. You pay it even in a month when your panels cover all your power.

What about a battery?

A battery adds to the price. Two programs put money toward one. The state grant adds a flat $5,000$5,000Extra grant for adding a home batteryOnly with a solar project that also gets the grant. The battery money has its own pot and can run out on its own. Battery projects get 18 months to finish.RI Commerce, REF Energy Storage Adder Request for Projects (v6, rev. 4/6/2026)Project Funding, 'Small Scale Program' rowVerified Oct 28, 2026 when the battery goes in with solar that also gets the grant. RI Energy's ConnectedSolutions program pays $225 per kW$225$225 per kW each summerWhat RI Energy pays per kW for a home battery in ConnectedSolutionsPay depends on how much power your battery puts out during summer events, so real payments vary. You enroll through your battery maker after it's installed.RI Energy, ConnectedSolutions Battery Program page; 2024-2026 Program Guide, Battery Energy StorageIncentives section: 'Incentive rate: $225 per average kW performed each summer', 'Cap: No customer may receive more than $6,875/year', 'Term: Rate lock for the first five summers'. Enrollment process section. Program Guide p. 3, footnote 2: 'This is the incentive rate for the 2024-2026 program years.'Verified Sep 28, 2026 each summer. That pay depends on how much power your battery sends out during summer events, so real payments vary. You enroll after the battery is installed.

Get more than one quote

The range above shows how far prices can spread for the same size. Get more than one quote and compare them line by line:

• The price per watt.
• The grant amount, shown on its own line.
• What you would owe after the grant.

Then check who is selling to you. How to check a solar installer.

Quick answers

Are these state prices?

No. They are averages from quotes on EnergySage, a private marketplace. Your own quote can be higher or lower.

Does the state grant lower the price?

Yes, if you own the system. Your installer takes the grant off your contract price.

Will I still have an electric bill?

Yes. A fixed monthly customer charge stays, and net metering credits do not pay it down.

Should I get more than one quote?

Yes. Compare the price per watt, and check that each quote shows the grant on its own line.