Solar by State / Rhode Island
Data last verified: August 2026Is Solar Worth It in Rhode Island in 2026?
The honest answer depends on four numbers that are unique to Rhode Island: your electricity rate, your solar production, your net metering policy, and your state incentives. Here are the real figures, with sources and dates.
Rhode Island Solar Snapshot (2026)
| Residential electricity rate | 29.5¢/kWh (EIA, 2026 YTD May) |
| Solar production | ~1294 kWh per kW installed per year (NREL PVWatts v8) |
| Net metering | Full retail 1:1 |
| State tax credit | None in 2026 |
| Rebates / performance | None |
| SREC market | No active SREC market |
| Property tax exemption | No |
| Sales tax exemption | No |
Estimate Your Own Payback in Rhode Island
The table above is a 6 kW benchmark. Your home is different — use the Solar ROI Calculator with Rhode Island pre-loaded to get your exact payback, or the 30-second worth-it quiz for a go/no-go verdict.
Rhode Island FAQ
Does Rhode Island have a solar tax credit in 2026?
Rhode Island does not offer a state income tax credit for residential solar in 2026. The federal residential credit (Section 25D) expired Dec 31, 2025 and does not apply to 2026 installations.
What is net metering like in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island uses full retail net metering. This means every exported kWh is credited at your retail rate — the most favorable setup for solar.
Is solar worth it in Rhode Island after the federal credit ended?
At a typical 3.00/W installed cost and 29.5¢/kWh electricity, a 6 kW system in Rhode Island has an estimated payback of about 7.5 years (rank #10 of 51 states). That is one of the faster paybacks in the country.
Compare Rhode Island with Another State
See how Rhode Island stacks up against Ohio — or use the state comparison tool for a side-by-side of any two or three states.
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