What Is Community Solar
Saving money with community solar & Virtual Net Metering (VNM)
Community solar plant produces electricity
Electricity that is produced becomes Net Metering Credits
Credits are added to your electric bill
A community solar project is a large solar farm shared by more than one household. Its primary purpose is to allow members of a community the opportunity to share the benefits of solar power even if they cannot install solar panels on their roof or property. Program participants benefit from the electricity generated by the community solar farm, which costs less than the price they would ordinarily pay for electricity.
- Through community solar programs, renters, homeowners, municipalities, and non-profits can participate in clean energy projects and save money on their monthly electricity bill.
- Rhode Island is working to make clean and affordable energy available to all our residents. Today, we have a variety of ways to provide access to solar energy to everyone.
- In 2019, for the first time, Rhode Island will have community solar projects available for a limited number of customers to enroll.
Everyone can benefit from solar energy.
New state initiatives and programs now make it possible for renters to benefit from solar energy too. As long as you are a National Grid customer, you are eligible to participate in these incentives and programs.
Save money on your monthly electric bill and contribute to cleaner air in Rhode Island! Visit our Marketplace website for listings of community solar projects, to learn about savings and to choose the option that is best for you.
Community Renewables Program
One available incentive program is the Community Renewables Program at the Renewable Energy Fund at Commerce Rhode Island. This first come, first serve program is available to community solar developers who will pass on the grants to subscribers in the form of a bill credit on their community solar bill. Low-to-Moderate-Income (LMI) recipients on the National Grid A-60 rate will receive a flat rebate grant amount of $500 per subscriber. Basic residential recipients on the National Grid A-16 rate will receive a flat rebate grant amount of $300 per subscriber.
For more information about this program, visit the Renewable Energy Fund website.
