Rhode Island's solar grant: how the REF works in 2026

How much is the grant?

As of October 2026, Rhode Island's Renewable Energy Fund 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 for home solar, 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. Add a battery and it pays 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 more. You must own the system, and your installer applies for you.

The federal tax credit is gone for home systems finished after Dec 31, 2025Gone for systems finished after Dec 31, 2025Federal solar tax credit for homeowners (section 25D)A system counts as finished when it is installed, not when you sign or pay.IRS, FAQs for modification of sections 25C, 25D ... under Public Law 119-21 (FS-2025-05, Aug 21, 2025)Termination table row 25D; Q&A citing § 25D(e)(8)(A)Verified Sep 28, 2026. For people who buy their own system, this grant now does some of the work that credit used to do.

How is it figured?

Take the size of your system in watts and multiply by $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. The grant 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 same top amount.

The most one home can get for solar plus a battery is $19,500$19,500The most you can get for solar plus a batteryThis is the solar top amount plus the battery amount. The state lists them separately.RI Commerce, Small-Scale RFP and Energy Storage Adder RFP (both rev. 4/6/26)Sum of Small-Scale RFP Project Funding max ($14,500) and Storage Adder RFP Small Scale row ($5,000)Verified Oct 28, 2026.

Who qualifies?

• 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
• Your roof gets enough sun. The installer's shade report scores how much sun your roof gets over a year. It must show 80%80%80% TSRF or higher on the shade reportHow much sun the roof must getTSRF measures how much sun your roof gets through the year. Your installer's shade report shows it.RI Commerce, Renewable Energy Fund, Small-Scale Request for Projects (rev. 4/6/26)Eligibility checklist, question 2 (the shade report must show 80% TSRF or higher); also on the Small Scale Funding FlyerVerified Oct 28, 2026 or higher.
• Don't install until the grant is approved.Don't install until the grant is approved.When the panels can go upThe project must be finished within 12 months of signing, or 18 months with a battery.RI Commerce, Renewable Energy Fund, Small-Scale Request for Projects (rev. 4/6/26)Eligible Technologies, first dash bulletVerified Oct 28, 2026 The job must be done within 12 months12 months12 months from signing the installer contract, or 18 with a batteryTime to finish from signing the installer contract (18 months with a battery)Counted from the day you sign the contract.RI Commerce, Renewable Energy Fund, Small-Scale Request for Projects (rev. 4/6/26)Small-Scale RFP completion requirement (12 months from contract signing); Energy Storage Adder RFP (18 months for battery projects)Verified Oct 28, 2026 of signing the installer contract, or 18 months12 months12 months from signing the installer contract, or 18 with a batteryTime to finish from signing the installer contract (18 months with a battery)Counted from the day you sign the contract.RI Commerce, Renewable Energy Fund, Small-Scale Request for Projects (rev. 4/6/26)Small-Scale RFP completion requirement (12 months from contract signing); Energy Storage Adder RFP (18 months for battery projects)Verified Oct 28, 2026 with a battery.
• You are not also using REG. Pick one. REF and REG can't be combined.Pick 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

Check that your seller is registered: anyone selling solar here must register with the state every yearAnyone selling solar here must register with the state every year.Must solar sellers register with the state?Sales reps also need a criminal background check.R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-93-4(a); RI DBR Solar Retailers page§ 5-93-4(a); DBR page quotes it and links Bulletin 25-01 ('Required Registration Must Be Completed By August 1, 2025')Verified Sep 28, 2026.

When is the deadline?

No round is open right now. The next round is not yet announcedNot yet announcedIs a round after October 16 announced?The program has not ended. The next round just is not posted yet.RI Commerce, Renewable Energy Fund web pageGrant Rounds table and Small Scale time table (both end at 26-3)Verified Oct 28, 2026. This page will show it when the state posts it.

The grant runs in rounds through the year:

Should I pick REF or REG?

You can use one, not 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. REF pays once, up front. REG pays for every kWh your panels make, for years, and it replaces net meteringREG 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.

A worked example

Take a system at the grant's top size, 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, that you own. It makes about 11,598 kWh11,598 kWhWorked out from sourced numbers: 8.8 kW × 1,318 kWh per kWPower one kW of panels makes in a year in Providence: about 1,318 kWh a year per kW. Verified Sep 28, 2026. a year, and say your home uses all of it.

REF means the grant plus net metering. The REG column assumes the full REG pay reaches you. Each year: power made × this month's home credit, or × the REG rate. Rates do change. The net metering credit moves with power prices, and the REG rate is locked for the term. Leaving out upkeep and panel wear.

On these numbers the two are close. This example assumes your home uses all the power. If it uses less, the extra earns only the wholesale priceWholesale price, much lower than your retail rateWhat power beyond your own use earnsThe law changed in 2025. The utility's own table still lists this rate as to be determined.R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-26.4-2(8)§ 39-26.4-2(8), second paragraphVerified Sep 28, 2026 under net metering, and REG pulls further ahead. REG splits its pay into a bill credit and cash, and RI Energy's own documents differ on who gets the cashYou 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. Get it in writing before you pick REG. Price your own system both ways before you pick.

How is the grant paid?

You do not get a check. The grant is paid to your installer and comes off your contract price.The 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 Your installer files the application for you.Your installer files the application for you.Who files the grant applicationYou sign the contract; the installer files.RI Commerce, Renewable Energy Fund, Small-Scale Request for Projects (rev. 4/6/26)Application sections are filed by the installer (Section 1 once per company per round, Section 2 per project)Verified Oct 28, 2026 Your contract shows the full price, the grant amount, and what you owe after the grant.

Ask to see those three lines before you sign.

Quick answers

Do I get a check from the state?

No. The grant is written into your contract with the installer and lowers what you owe them.

Does a lease or PPA qualify?

No. Only systems you own qualify.

Can I get this and REG?

No. They are two different programs, and you pick one.

Who applies?

Your installer files the application for you. Ask them to show the grant amount on your contract.