Rhode Island

RI

H 7269 / S 2658 — Plug-In Solar Device Consumer Access Act

Pending
Current Status
Last verified: April 15, 2026

Legislative Status

Senate committee (S 2658) recommended 'held for further study' on April 15, 2026 — effectively stalling the bill for this session. House companion H 7269 remains in committee with no vote scheduled.

Sponsored by: Rep. Justine Caldwell (H 7269)

Legislation Progress

Introduced

15%

pipeline complete

Introduced
In Committee
Passed Committee
One Chamber
Both Chambers
Gov. Desk
Enacted

Passage Likelihood

20%

Senate committee recommended 'held for further study' on April 15 — a procedural move that typically signals the bill will not advance this session. Rhode Island has high rates ($0.298/kWh) but utility opposition appears to have stalled progress.

Session Deadline

June 30, 2026

Legislative calendar cutoff

Expected Timeline

Unlikely to advance in 2026 session. Sponsors may reintroduce in 2027.

Rhode Island Solar Data

Avg. Electricity Rate29.8¢/kWh
TOU Peak Spread
11¢/kWh
Est. Annual Savings
~$385/yr
Last UpdatedApril 15, 2026
Calculate RI Savings
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Key Provisions

Would exempt certified plug-in solar devices from RIPUC interconnection requirements. House and Senate companion bills.

Effective DateUpon passage
Wattage Limit1,200 watts
UL 3700Not mentioned
PermitExempt from permitting processes
Utility ApprovalWaived
UL 3700 DetailsUL or equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory certification required
HOA / DeedNot addressed in the bill text.
RentersNot explicitly addressed, though press releases indicate the bill is intended to enable renters to reduce electric bills.
Net MeteringNot subject to net metering program requirements.
What Makes This State Unique

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 Gaps

Does not address HOA restrictions. Renter rights not explicitly codified in bill text despite being a stated goal.

What This Means for You

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.

Current Limitations

Bill stalled in Senate committee. Rhode Island utilities currently require interconnection agreements. Unlikely to advance in 2026.

Official Bill Reference

Stalled — Senate Committee Held for Further Study (April 15, 2026)
View Full Bill Text — H 7269 / S 2658

Opens official state legislature website in a new tab.

Rhode Island State Overview

Key data on solar potential, demographics, utilities, and incentives.

Solar Resource
Peak Sun Hours4.7 hrs/day
Optimal Tilt36°
Best FacingDue South (180°)
Est. Annual Output (800W)1,033 kWh/yr
Best MonthsMay to September

Rhode Island receives 4.7 kWh/m²/day of solar irradiance — 5.2% below the national average. Solar installations are limited to predominantly rooftop and megawatt scale installations due to the state's small size and comparatively low insolation.

Major Utilities
Rhode Island Energy
~335800 customers
Net metering
Pascoag Utility District
~5000 customers
Net metering
Block Island Utility District
~1990 customers
Net metering

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 Income
$87,796
Median Home Value
$404,200

36% of Rhode Island households are renter-occupied — approximately 160,890 households that could benefit from plug-in solar without owning their home.

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.

Rhode Island has a fully deregulated electricity market. You may be able to get plug-in solar bundled with your electricity plan through a Retail Energy Provider (REP) — potentially at lower cost than buying hardware outright.

Learn about REP partner offers →

News Coverage

Media coverage of plug-in solar developments in Rhode Island.

Balcony solar is taking state legislatures by storm

Canary MediaFebruary 2026