Rhode Island has not enacted any statewide requirements for interconnection of renewable energy systems, other than standards established under the federal PURPA law.

Narragansett Electric, which serves 99% of the state's mainland customers, has been central to the development of a one-page net metering interconnection agreement that has been used as a model for other states.

RI System Benefits Charge for DSM and Renewables
Rhode Island's 1996 restructuring legislation established the nation's first public benefits fund to support the development of renewable energy and demand side management (DSM) programs. The minimum charge was originally set at 2.3 mills ($0.0023) per kWh for at least five years, and the state's Public Utility Commission (PUC) was authorized to adjust the charge and determine its future level. The law was recently amended to extend the charge five more years (through 2006) at the current level, to be reviewed and set by the PUC thereafter. The program is currently being funded at about 2.3 mills/kWh, resulting in an annual budget for renewable energy of about $4.5 million.

The Rhode Island Renewable Energy Collaborative (RIREC), comprised of Narragansett Electric, Pascoag Fire District, the state's Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, Office of Attorney General, State Energy Office, Conservation Law Foundation, and Energy Council of Rhode Island, is working with the PUC to administer funds. RIREC has funded a comprehensive technology assessment to identify in-state resources and barriers to development, wind prospecting efforts, and renewable energy incentives.

RIREC Renewables RFPs
The Rhode Island Renewable Energy Collaborative issued two requests for proposals (RFPs) due October 31, 2001, for the Purchase and Sale of Renewable Electricity to Large Electricity Customers and for Renewable Generation Supply. The first will provide $500,000 to encourage the purchase of renewable energy-based electricity supply by large electricity customers in Rhode Island, including business, government, and institutional customers. The second will provide $1.25 million to encourage development of renewable energy projects located in Rhode Island and New England that meet eligibility criteria and serve Rhode Island customers behind the meter or through competitive retail electric supply. A 9-page supply application form was developed to expedite the proposal selection process.

Questions regarding the RFPs should be directed in writing to:

The Narragansett Electric Company
280 Melrose Street
Providence, RI 02901
Kate Ringe-Welch, Principal Analyst
Email Renewables.collaborative@us.ngrid.com

Small Wind Buy-Down Program 
RIREC has established a buy-down program of $1.50 per watt up to 50% of the system cost for wind generators up to 10 kW. The buy-down rate for PV systems has been increased to $3.00 per watt.

Renewable Energy Tax Credits
In July 2000, the Rhode Island legislature adopted a sales tax refund, a property tax exemption, and a personal tax credit for renewable energy systems (Chapters 56-57 of Title 44) which expire in December 2004. To receive a full sales tax refund, purchasers of qualifying renewable energy systems must submit an application to the State Division of Taxation consisting of a form provided by the Tax Administrator, copies of appropriate receipts, and a system certification from the state energy office. Like the property tax provisions of many other states, Rhode Island law states that renewable energy systems cannot be assessed at more than the value of a conventional heating, hot water, or other energy production system. 

Eligible technologies for Rhode Island's personal renewable energy tax credit include wind systems, photovoltaics, and solar hot water and space heating systems. Non-eligible technologies include wind and PV systems on boats or recreational vehicles, passive solar hot water and space heating systems, sunspaces or solar greenhouses, solar pool collectors, existing and used equipment, and repairs and replacements of existing renewable energy systems. The tax credit is based on a maximum system cost of $15,000 ($7,000 for solar hot water) and declines over time as follows: 20% of the cost of the system for systems claimed in 2001; 15% in 2002; 10% in 2003; and 5% in 2004. The credit can be taken by an individual or as a corporate tax credit by a commercial entity.

Block Island Renewable Energy Grant
Located about 10 miles off the coast of mainland Rhode Island, Block Island received a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy's State Energy Program to install 60 cost-effective photovoltaic, solar hot water, and wind systems. Since the island's 1,000 year-round residents and 10,000 summer-time tourists are primarily supplied by a fleet of diesel generators and the island is grid isolated from the mainland, electric rates are among the highest on the East Coast and are about three times as much as is charged on the mainland during the summer peak season (near 30 cents/kWh). The initial grant funds have been exhausted, but a waiting list has been started in case additional funds become available.

For more information on Block Island renewables, contact:

ENTECH Engineering, Inc.
PO Box 871
Block Island, RI 02807-0871
Phone (401) 466-8978
Chris Warfel
Email cwarfel@entech-engineering.com
Web www.entech-engineering.com/BIREG.htm

Additional information can be found at inventory of state incentives for wind for Rhode Island.

We are unaware of any additional utility-specific incentives beyond the RIREC programs described above for wind energy development. 

The US Department of Energy has produced wind resource maps for each state. The map for Rhode Island can be found here. You may also find the definitions of Wind Power Classes for the maps helpful.

There is additional information in the Wind Energy Atlas of the United States, where you can review maps for other locations in the US or get more information about how the maps were created.

You may also find useful information at the web site for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). This site contains extensive information about wind resources in the United States.

The Rhode Island Department of Environment Management has posted interactive topographic maps of the state online. 

The American Wind Energy Association provides a list of wind turbine manufacturers

The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) maintains a searchable database called the Sustainable Yellow Pages where you can search for wind energy professionals.

For a list of wind turbine installers in your area, please contact the manufacturers.

We suggest that you contact your local utility and request information on their interconnection policies. 

The Rhode Island PUC maintains listings of regulated utilities and nonregulated power producers registered with the state.

The Rhode Island Public Utility Commission is responsible for regulations relating to the electric utility industry.

Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission
89 Jefferson Boulevard
Warwick, RI 02888
Phone (401) 941-4885
Fax (401) 222-2883
Al Contente
Email al.contente@ripuc.state.ri.us
Web Site www.ripuc.state.ri.us

Rhode Island State Energy Office
Department of Administration
One Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908
Phone (401) 222-3370
Fax (401) 222-1260
Julie Capobianco
Email juliec@gw.doa.state.ri.us
Web www.riseo.state.ri.us

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, 4th Floor
Providence, RI 02908 
Jan Reitsma, Director
Phone (401) 222-2771
Fax (401) 222-6802
Email jreitsma@dem.state.ri.us
Web www.state.ri.us/dem

The U.S. Department of Energy Boston Regional Office manages the State Energy Program in the DOE Region of 7 states in the Northeast. 

The US Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network maintains a list of state contacts.

The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) has information on energy deregulation and renewable energy.

Save The Bay Headquarters
434 Smith Street
Providence, RI 02908
Phone 1 (800) NARRBAY 
Fax (401) 273-7153
Email savebay@savebay.org
Web www.savebay.org

Conservation Law Foundation Providence Advocacy Center
69 Washington Street
Providence, RI 02903
Phone (401) 323-7608
Fax (401) 351-0118
Jennifer Cole Steele
Email risland@clf.org
Web www.clf.org/aboutclf/rhodeisland.htm

The US Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network maintains a list of state contacts.

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