Commercial Scale Renewable Energy Grants (Commerce RI)

March 23, 2023

Summary

The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation (Commerce RI) seeks to fund commercial scale renewable energy projects generating electricity for onsite- consumption. Commerce RI provides incentives for renewable-energy projects. Incentive programs are funded by the Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund (REF) and alternative compliance payments (ACPs) from the state’s renewable portfolios standard (RPS).

Eligibility

Any legal business entity, municipality, non-profit, and affordable housing are eligible for funding. All projects must be located on Rhode Island and must be used for on-site consumption. Grants are available for electricity-generating renewable-energy systems greater than 10 kilowatts (kW). Eligible technologies include solar, wind, ocean, small hydro, biomass, and fuel cells. Customers participating in the RE Growth Program offered by National Grid are not eligible for the program.

Program description

Incentive amounts are as follows:

Direct Ownership		System Size
$0.70/W		For the first 0-50kW
$0.40/W		For the 2nd 50kW (up to 100 kW)
$0.30/W		For the 3rd 50 kW (up to 150 kW)
$0.20/W		For the 4th 50 kW (up to 151 kW and up)

Maximum $75,000/project, $150,000/cap/block/installer

The program includes a solar carport adder of $0.55/W, up to 250 kW; there is also an energy storage adder of $0.50/W, up to $40,000.

Program Overview

Implementing Sector:	State
Category:	Financial Incentive
State:	Rhode Island
Incentive Type:	Grant Program
Web Site:	http://commerceri.com/finance-business/renewable-energy-fund/commercial-scale-projects/
Administrator:	Commerce RI
Start Date:
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:	Geothermal Electric Solar Thermal Electric Solar Photovoltaics Biomass Combined Heat & Power Fuel Cells using Non-Renewable Fuels Landfill Gas Wind (Small) Hydroelectric (Small) Lithium-ion
Incentive Amount:	For Direct Ownership Systems $0.70/W For the first 0-50kW $0.40/W For the 2nd 50kW (Up to 100kW) $0.30/W For the 3rd 50kW (up to 150kW) $0.20/W For the 4th 50kW (up to 151 kW and up) Solar Carport Adder: $0.55/W Energy Storage Adder: $0.50/W
Maximum Incentive:	Without Solar Carport Adder: $75,000/project, $150,000/cap/block/installer With Solar Carport Adder: $200,000/project, $600,000/cap/block/installer Energy Storage Adder: $40,000/project
Installation Requirements:	Varies with technology

Authorities

Name:

RIGL §42-64-13.2

Contact

Name:	Renewable Energy Fund Commercial-Scale Program
Organization:	Rhode Island Commerce Corporation
Address:
Phone:	(140) 127-8919
Email:	REF@commerceri.com

This information is sourced from DSIRE; the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University.