Solar energy offers several benefits for homeowners in Rhode Island. One of the primary advantages is the potential for significant cost savings on electricity bills. By installing solar panels on their properties, homeowners can generate their own clean energy, reducing their reliance on the grid and lowering monthly utility expenses. Additionally, Rhode Island provides several financial incentives and rebates to encourage homeowners to adopt solar energy. The state's renewable energy programs, such as the Renewable Energy Growth Program (REG), offer financial incentives to homeowners who install solar systems. These incentives can offset the cost of installation, making solar energy more accessible and affordable for Rhode Island homeowners.
In addition to the cost savings, installing solar panels on homes in Rhode Island contributes to the state's overall sustainability and environmental goals. Solar energy is a clean, renewable source of power that helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. With the coastal areas of Rhode Island being more prone to the impacts of climate change, transitioning to solar energy is an effective way for homeowners to mitigate their carbon footprint and contribute to a greener future. Furthermore, the state's net metering policy allows homeowners to earn credits for excess energy generated by their solar panels, which can be used to offset future electricity usage or even sold back to the grid, resulting in further financial benefits for homeowners.
A peak sun hour is an hour in the day when the intensity of the sunlight reaches an average of 1000 watts/meter².
State Homes Powered by Solar
Growth Projection: 438 MW over the next 5 years
At the most basic level, solar panels are devices that take in the sun’s rays and convert them into electricity or heat. Once the sun hits the panels, the energy is made into electricity. A solar inverter helps turn the electricity into power that can be used. The more panels you have on a roof, the more solar electricity you can produce! Solar panels generate their own power and as a result can offset your monthly electricity bill, if not eliminate it in 97035.
There are 30 solar policies and incentives in the state of Rhode Island. These incentives and tax credits help reduce the cost of solar panels in order to promote this source of renewable energy.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory states that every dollar that is saved on energy through solar increases home value by $20 in Rhode Island. More research shows that solar panels can add an average of $18,324 to the value of a medium-sized home.