Plug-In Solar in Rhode Island — Legislation Pending
Bill: H 7269 / S 2658 — Plug-In Solar Device Consumer Access Act
Sponsor: Rep. Justine Caldwell (H 7269)
Legislative Status: House passed H 7269 in July 2026. Previous Senate companion (S 2658) was held for further study in April 2026, but House passage revives momentum. Senate expected to take up the bill in the 2026–2027 session.
Current Status: Passed House (H 7269) · Advancing to Senate
Last Updated: July 2026
Key Information
| Average Electricity Rate | 29.8¢/kWh |
| Estimated Annual Savings | $375/year |
| TOU Rate Spread | 11¢/kWh |
| Peak Sun Hours/Day | 4.2 |
| Retail Choice | full |
Key Provisions
Exempts certified plug-in solar devices (up to 1,200W) from RIPUC interconnection requirements. House passed H 7269 in July 2026. Senate companion advancing.
Law Provisions
| Effective Date | Upon passage |
| Wattage Limit | 1,200 watts |
| UL 3700 | not_mentioned — UL or equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory certification required |
| HOA Provision | Not addressed in the bill text. |
| Renter Provision | Not explicitly addressed, though press releases indicate the bill is intended to enable renters to reduce electric bills. |
| Utility Approval | Waived |
| Permit Required | Exempt from permitting processes |
| Backfeed/Net Metering | Not subject to net metering program requirements. |
| Key Differences | One of the few bills that explicitly exempts plug-in solar from permitting processes, not just interconnection. Requires anti-islanding feature to prevent backfeeding during power outages. Bill numbers updated to H 7269 / S 2359 for the 2026 session. |
| Notable Omissions | Does not address HOA restrictions. Renter rights not explicitly codified in bill text despite being a stated goal. |
What You Can Do
If passed: self-install without National Grid RI approval. At $0.298/kWh, an 800W system could save $330+ per year.
What You Can't Do (Yet)
House passed but Senate has not yet voted. Rhode Island utilities currently require interconnection agreements until the bill is signed into law.
Available Rebates & Incentives
Rhode Island Renewable Energy Growth (REG) Program allows customers to sell solar generation at fixed long-term tariff rates. Renewable Energy Fund (REF) Small Scale Solar Grants discount upfront costs. Sales tax exemption and 20-year property tax exemption for renewable energy systems. The federal 30% ITC (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025.
Incentive Program Links
- Rhode Island REG Program — RI Energy — Sell solar generation under long-term fixed-price tariffs.
- Rhode Island REF Small Scale Solar Grants — RI Commerce — Grants to discount upfront cost of net-metered solar systems.
- Rhode Island Sales Tax Exemption — RI Legislature — Renewable energy systems exempt from Rhode Island's 7% sales and use tax.
- DSIRE — Rhode Island Solar Incentives — Full list of Rhode Island state and utility solar incentive programs.
Demographics (US Census 2023)
| Population | 1,112,308 |
| Total Households | 441,570 |
| Owner-Occupied | 280,680 |
| Renter-Occupied | 160,890 |
| Single-Family Homes | 241,202 |
| Apartment Units (5+) | 70,541 |
| Median Household Income | $87,796 |
| Median Home Value | $404,200 |
Solar Resource Data (NREL PVWatts)
| Peak Sun Hours/Day | 4.7 |
| Optimal Tilt Angle | 36° |
| Optimal Azimuth | Due South (180°) |
| Est. Annual kWh (800W system) | 1033 kWh |
| Best Solar Months | May to September |
Major Utilities
| Utility | Customers | Net Metering |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Energy | ~335800 customers | Yes |
| Pascoag Utility District | ~5000 customers | Yes |
| Block Island Utility District | ~1990 customers | Yes |
News Coverage
- Balcony solar is taking state legislatures by storm — Canary Media (February 2026)