Residential Solar Energy Property Tax Reduction

June 20, 2019

Summary

NOTE: H.B. 8354 enacted on July 2016 included provision that exempted qualifying renewable energy equipment used in residential and manufacturing sector to be exempt from property taxes throughout the state, thereby superseding the reduction in solar energy property tax assessment provision. Renewable energy equipment used in commercial facilities are not included in the exemption.

Rhode Island law provides that for purposes of local municipal property tax assessment, certain residential solar-energy systems may not be assessed at more than the value of a conventional heating system, a conventional water-heating system, or energy production capacity that otherwise could be necessary to install in a building. Qualifying systems include photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar hot-water systems and active solar space-heating systems. Equipment must be new. (Passive solar systems, and systems installed on boats or vehicles do not qualify.)

Program Overview

Implementing Sector:	State
Category:	Financial Incentive
State:	Rhode Island
Incentive Type:	Property Tax Incentive
Web Site:	http://www.energy.ri.gov/renewable/tax/
Administrator:	Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources
Start Date:
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:	Solar Water Heat Solar Space Heat Solar Photovoltaics
Incentive Amount:	System assessed at no more than conventional energy system

Authorities

Name:	R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-57-4 (a)(6)
Date Enacted:	07/13/2000
Effective Date:	01/01/2001

Contact

Name:	George Sfinarolakis
Organization:	Director, Lead by Example Program
Address:	RI
Phone:	(401) 574-9101
Email:	george.sfinarolakis@energy.ri.gov

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.