Plug-In Solar in Rhode Island — Status: deferred
Bill: H 7269 / S 2658 — Plug-In Solar Device Consumer Access Act
Sponsor: Rep. Justine Caldwell (H 7269)
Legislative Status: Dead for 2026 session. Senate committee (S 2658) recommended 'held for further study' on April 15, 2026 — a procedural move that effectively kills the bill for this session. House companion H 7269 remains in committee with no vote scheduled. Session ends June 30, 2026. Sponsors expected to reintroduce in 2027.
Current Status: Dead for 2026 Session — Held for Further Study (April 15, 2026)
Last Updated: April 15, 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
Would exempt certified plug-in solar devices from RIPUC interconnection requirements. House and Senate companion bills. Held for further study by Senate committee April 15, 2026 — effectively dead for 2026 session.
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)
Bill stalled in Senate committee. Rhode Island utilities currently require interconnection agreements. Unlikely to advance in 2026.
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)