5 Best Solar Companies in Rhode Island (2024)
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More and more Rhode Island homeowners are turning to solar energy due to the state’s higher-than-average electricity rates. The state government plans to achieve 100% renewable energy use by 2033—one of the country’s most aggressive renewable energy goals. Rhode Island supports this through generous solar incentives and credits.
Our team spent more than 60 hours researching leading solar installers, including options for Rhode Island homeowners. We’ve detailed the state’s best solar companies below and what to look for in a solar company.
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Rhode Island’s Top Solar Energy Companies
SunPower
Best High-Efficiency System
Sunrun
Best Solar Panel Leasing
Palmetto
Best Customer Support
What Are the Available Solar Incentives in Rhode Island?
Qualifying solar system owners can use the federal tax credit to receive up to 30% off solar installation costs. The credit applies to your owed federal taxes, reducing or eliminating your tax liability. The federal solar tax credit applies to photovoltaic (PV) equipment, such as rooftop and ground-mount panels, solar shingles, and standalone energy storage.
The state offers two tax exemptions to reduce final system costs. The Sales Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy eliminates the 7% state sales tax at the point of sale. With the Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Equipment, you’ll receive a 100% property tax exemption with your solar installation. This means you benefit from solar’s added home value without the additional property tax.
The Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund (REF) offers one-time payments of $5,000–$75,000, depending on your system size and type. These funds go directly to your solar installer and help reduce overall costs. Installers handle most of this paperwork and must apply on the customer’s behalf. The Rhode Island Renewable Energy Growth (REG) program lets customers sell their generated solar energy at fixed pricing for 15–20 years. Homeowners cannot participate in both programs.
Rhode Island’s net-metering program lets homeowners earn energy bill credits for returning excess energy to the power grid. The program is mandated throughout the state and includes an earning cap of no more than 125% of your home’s power use. After reviewing program details, we learned that customers receive retail rate payouts for extra energy until they reach 100% capacity. The following 25% reduces to the avoided cost rate (the rate that utility companies pay to produce electricity).
What Should You Look For in a Solar Company?
When shopping for solar installation companies, remember these key features and services.
Solar Services
Companies use in-house or third-party contractors to complete their solar panel installations. In-house installers work directly for the company, providing higher-quality installations and better communication. With third-party teams, installation results could vary by location. Using outside installers may also create communication issues since you’ll coordinate with a point of contact other than the solar installer. We recommend working with solar companies that employ in-house teams.
Some solar panel companies offer additional services and benefits to support solar system performance, such as system monitoring, dedicated web portals, and energy-tracking apps. Companies may also offer home upgrade services. Below are possible solar and home services offered by providers:
- Dedicated mobile app or web portal
- Electrical services
- Energy efficiency audits and upgrades
- Home energy monitoring equipment
- Roofing repair and replacement
- Smart home device installation
- Solar system monitoring
Warranties
Solar panels last about 25 years, and you’ll want warranty coverage that aligns with their life span. High-quality residential panels usually have longer warranty coverage than less expensive solar panels. These long-term warranties keep your investment protected against panel or performance failures. Here’s an overview of common solar system warranty types:
- Manufacturer’s (or product) warranty: The coverage protects your solar panel system against manufacturing defects.
- Workmanship (or labor) warranty: This plan includes system coverage for installation-related issues.
- Power performance guarantee: This protection plan outlines your panels’ expected performance levels through a specific time frame. It includes repair or replacement options if your system falls below these specifications.
Warranty coverage, length, and availability vary between solar providers, so check each installer’s system coverage.
Payment Options
Most solar companies offer two or more solar financing options to accommodate more homeowners’ budgets. Some payment options, such as solar loans and cash payments, provide added benefits such as legal system ownership. These options also qualify you for solar incentives and rebates. The most common solar payment options are below:
- Up-front (or cash) payments: You pay for the full system costs up-front.
- Solar loans: After an initial down payment, you make monthly payments with interest for a set time frame.
- Solar leases: This option requires little to no money down and includes monthly solar system “rental” payments.
- Power purchase agreements (PPAs): You make monthly payments for the solar energy you use instead of paying for the equipment.
Solar leases and PPAs keep system ownership with the provider, disqualifying you from added incentive savings. These payment options work best for homeowners uninterested in owning their solar equipment. We recommend choosing cash payments or solar loans for your purchase to maximize your savings and return on investment (ROI).
Customer Support
When we analyzed solar customer reviews, we learned that finding a reachable customer service department was a major pain point for homeowners. Look for companies that offer multiple customer support contact options. Some typical contact methods include the following:
- Phone
- Online forms
- Online chat
- Text messaging
- In-app communications
Check online customer reviews
How To Get a Solar Quote in Rhode Island
We recommend requesting solar quotes from multiple companies to find the best pricing, equipment, and warranty. Use our guide below to familiarize yourself with the typical solar quote process.
- Schedule your consultation: Contact each company and schedule an in-person or virtual consultation. Plan about two hours for each consultation.
- Have your latest electric bill on hand: Solar companies use your energy bill to determine your solar project’s size and energy output. Have your latest bill ready for each appointment.
- Check your roof design: Each company will conduct an in-person or virtual roof assessment to determine its condition and any structural issues. They will note your available space and fit your solar arrays to your roof. Depending on your chosen solar panel type, you may need more room to accommodate more panels.
- Build your new system: The solar installer will design your system based on your previous assessments. You can choose your preferred solar panel and inverter brands, system components, and add-ons, such as solar batteries and EV chargers.
- Review each finalized quote: Each company will provide an itemized quote detailing your solar energy system. Quotes should include system pricing, installation costs, labor, and warranty details. You’ll also receive financing options and an estimated payback period. Compare each finalized quote to find the best option.
Find Local Solar Panel Installers in RI
Our Conclusion
We selected SunPower as the standout solar provider in Rhode Island. The company offers high-performing solar power systems guaranteed to last for more than two decades. Though SunPower is more expensive than some other installers, you have peace of mind knowing you’ve invested in one of the solar industry’s best residential systems. We recommend requesting free quotes from at least three solar providers to find the right fit for your home.
Our team also reviewed the best national, regional, and local Providence solar companies.
Other Rhode Island Home Service Resources
FAQ About Solar Companies in Rhode Island
Are solar panels worth it in Rhode Island?
Yes, investing in solar panels is worth it in Rhode Island. Thanks to the state’s aggressive clean energy goals, residents benefit from generous solar incentives that help lower installation costs. In addition, Rhode Island receives 202 sunny days per year, making it an excellent climate for solar panels.
What is the largest solar project in RI?
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Gold Meadow Farms in Cranston is one of Rhode Island’s largest solar projects. Providing 21.3 megawatts of electricity, this solar produces enough energy to power close to 4,200 homes.
Can you get free solar panels in Rhode Island?
No, you cannot get free solar panels in Rhode Island. However, you can reduce solar panel installation costs with federal and state solar incentives. These credits and rebates help lower your total investment, making it more affordable to switch to solar energy.
How much is the average electric rate in RI?
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Rhode Islanders paid around 23 cents per kilowatt for electricity in April 2023—about 44% higher than the national average. Moving to solar energy could cut expensive utility costs, providing a more cost-effective energy solution.
Our Rating Methodology
We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:
- Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
- Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
- Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
- Financing options (15%)
- Experience (10%)
- Availability (10%)
Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
