Energy (Solar)

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 3272: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD

Requires the electric distribution companies to offer system owner/operators 30 year contracts, with various terms including guaranteeing the delivery of net metering credits valued at $0.19, with an annual escalation of 2.75%.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates 30-year contracts for renewable energy net metering credits, directly strengthening renewable energy infrastructure and protecting clean energy investments.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 2801: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- SOLAR COST REDUCTION ACT

This bill creates a statewide automated permitting system to speed up the approval process for residential solar energy installations in Rhode Island. It requires the state to develop an online platform that automatically checks applications for code compliance and issues permits instantly without manual review for eligible systems up to 25 kilowatts. Municipalities must accept these automated permits or provide equivalent systems, while also establishing a centralized online repository of local solar regulations and offering remote inspection options by 2027. The system is designed to reduce paperwork requirements, eliminate unnecessary stamped drawings for smaller systems, and allow electronic submissions and signatures throughout the permitting process.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates automated permitting for residential solar installations, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and reducing barriers to solar adoption.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates automated permitting system and online platform for solar installations, advancing technology infrastructure and digital processes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Social Media

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 2797: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- MORATORIUM ON NET METERING, LONG-TERM CONTRACTS AND SUBSIDIES FOR HEAT PUMPS

This bill would temporarily halt several renewable energy programs in Rhode Island starting January 1, 2027. It stops new net metering agreements that allow customers to sell excess solar or wind power back to the grid, prohibits the state from signing long-term contracts over five years for purchasing solar or wind energy, and bars state funds from subsidizing heat pump purchases or installation. These changes directly affect utility customers, energy providers, and state agencies that currently participate in or administer these programs. The legislation does not prevent existing contracts from continuing but blocks new enrollments in these specific renewable energy initiatives.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill restricts renewable energy programs and cuts subsidies, reducing government spending on clean energy initiatives and limiting future funding allocations.85% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill halts renewable energy programs, stops net metering, bans long-term solar/wind contracts, and eliminates heat pump subsidies, directly restricting clean energy development.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill halts renewable energy programs, net metering, and heat pump subsidies, directly restricting clean energy adoption and environmental protections.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts renewable energy technology adoption by halting net metering, long-term solar contracts, and heat pump subsidies, limiting access to clean energy technologies.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Renewable Energy Solar Wind

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 2762: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- RESIDENTIAL SOLAR ENERGY DISCLOSURE AND HOMEOWNERS BILL OF RIGHTS ACT

This bill amends the Residential Solar Energy Disclosure and Homeowners Bill of Rights Act to clarify definitions and improve disclosure requirements for solar energy agreements. It directly affects homeowners and solar retailers by updating standard forms used for lease and purchase agreements to include clearer details about costs, payment schedules, and customer responsibilities. The bill introduces a specific provision for catastrophic loss, allowing customers to temporarily suspend lease payments if their property becomes uninhabitable, though it does not cancel the remaining payments. Additionally, the legislation requires more transparent information on insurance responsibilities and potential federal tax credits in purchase agreements.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill strengthens consumer protections for residential solar energy, promotes renewable energy adoption, and clarifies disclosure requirements for solar agreements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 7506: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

HB 7506 exempts sales tax on batteries that store solar power for on-site use (behind-the-meter systems) when connected to solar photovoltaic installations. This directly affects homeowners, businesses, and property owners purchasing such battery systems for solar energy storage. The bill amends the state's sales tax code to add this exemption under existing tax categories, removing the sales tax burden specifically for these renewable energy storage components. It does not change tax rates for other items or create new requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts sales tax on solar batteries, providing tax relief for renewable energy storage, directly advancing fiscal support for green initiatives within taxation policy.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExempts sales tax on solar storage batteries, reducing costs for renewable energy adoption and directly supporting behind-the-meter solar systems.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExempts sales tax on solar storage batteries, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and reducing barriers to clean energy infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Energy Storage Renewable Energy Solar

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passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 7726: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- SOLAR COST REDUCTION ACT

HB 7726, the Solar Cost Reduction Act, streamlines permitting for residential solar installations by creating a statewide automated platform. It requires municipalities to adopt a "smart solar permitting platform" that instantly issues permits for compliant applications (like rooftop solar systems under 25 kW) without manual review, while banning additional engineering documentation for eligible projects. Homeowners and installers benefit from faster permits, electronic submissions, and remote inspection options by 2027, while municipalities retain authority over local fees and retain all permit revenue. The bill also establishes a public repository of all local solar ordinances to standardize requirements across the state.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyStreamlines solar permitting for residential systems, reducing barriers and accelerating renewable energy adoption through automated permits and eliminated documentation requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 2658: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PORTABLE SOLAR GENERATION DEVICE

SB 2658 creates a new regulatory category for small portable solar generation devices used in residential settings. It directly affects homeowners who install these portable solar systems, clarifying how they interact with public utility regulations. The bill establishes specific rules for these devices under utility law, ensuring they are treated separately from larger residential or commercial solar installations. This provides a clear framework for utilities to manage connections and billing for portable systems without requiring major infrastructure changes. The bill focuses on defining the scope of these devices within existing utility frameworks.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates regulatory framework for residential portable solar, enabling adoption by clarifying utility interactions and billing rules.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes regulatory framework for residential portable solar devices, enabling clean energy adoption and reducing grid reliance, aligning with environmental protection goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SB 2229: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL FUNDS AND PROPERTY

SB 2229 requires all Rhode Island school buildings to meet "zero energy capable" standards by December 31, 2037, meaning they must generate as much renewable energy as they consume annually. The Department of Education must develop regulations by June 30, 2027, to implement these standards, which align with the Northeast Collaborative for High Performance Schools (NE-CHPS) guidelines. The bill ensures local school districts can access state/federal funding for energy projects without penalties or reduced housing aid, and provides guidance for using federal tax incentives for solar installations. This applies to all new school construction and major renovations, directly affecting public schools across Rhode Island.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires school buildings to meet energy efficiency standards with funding access, improving infrastructure and reducing long-term operational costs for schools.92% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires schools to meet zero-energy standards using renewables, mandates regulations aligning with clean energy guidelines, and ensures funding access for energy projects.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates schools to achieve zero energy standards using renewable energy, directly reducing emissions and advancing clean energy infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 7177: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- MORATORIUM ON NET METERING, LONG-TERM CONTRACTS AND SUBSIDIES FOR HEAT PUMPS

HB 7177 places a moratorium on new or renewed net metering contracts (which allow solar power customers to sell excess electricity back to the grid), long-term contracts (over five years) for purchasing solar or wind energy, and state subsidies for heat pump installations. This bill directly affects residential solar customers, utilities, and homeowners seeking heat pump incentives by prohibiting these programs starting January 1, 2027. Key provisions ban state-funded heat pump subsidies, prevent new solar/wind energy procurement contracts exceeding five years, and halt all new net metering agreements under state law. The law suspends these specific energy programs without altering broader renewable energy policies.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill bans state subsidies for heat pumps and prohibits new renewable energy contracts, directly defunding these programs under fiscal management.90% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBans net metering, solar/wind long-term contracts, and heat pump subsidies - directly restricting renewable energy adoption programs.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBans solar net metering, long-term renewable contracts, and heat pump subsidies - directly restricting clean energy adoption and conservation incentives.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill prohibits state subsidies and new net metering contracts for solar/heat pump technology, restricting renewable energy adoption and funding for these tech solutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Renewable Energy Solar Wind

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passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 7269: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- NET METERING -- PORTABLE SOLAR GENERATION DEVICES

Excludes portable solar generation devices intended primarily to offset part of a customer's electricity consumption from the definition of eligible net-metering system.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill excludes portable solar devices from net metering eligibility, restricting consumer access to renewable energy incentives and weakening clean energy adoption for portable systems.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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