Rhode Island

EV Charging in Rhode Island -

 Rhode Island in 2026 continues to take an increasingly proactive stance on commercial EV charging station projects, integrating federal funds, state planning, and cost-recovery policies to grow infrastructure while promoting equitable access. Through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program, the state has not only completed Phase 1 build-out of DC fast chargers along key corridors like Interstate 95 but has also launched a competitive Phase 2 community approach aimed at deploying at least 10 DC Fast Chargers and 100 Level 2 chargers across Rhode Island, with funding that combines federal and state contributions (federal funds can cover up to 80 % of project costs with required local matching) and is open to public, private, and nonprofit applicants for publicly accessible stations. This reflects an active policy direction toward expanding both high-speed and community-oriented charging infrastructure statewide.

 In addition to NEVI, Rhode Island’s state planning and incentive structures are shaping how commercial and public charging gets deployed. The FY26 Rhode Island State Plan for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment allocates over $13 million toward statewide EV charger expansion, prioritizing proposals that reflect community input and statewide coverage, which shows data-driven planning and significant resource commitment for the fiscal year. The state also runs Electrify RI, a $1.4 million incentive program funded by the Volkswagen Diesel Settlement that assists employers, government entities, and multi-unit dwellings in installing Level 2 and DCFC chargers, broadening financial support beyond strictly federal NEVI funds and toward workplace and local charging stations.

 At the same time, Rhode Island has implemented policies affecting operational aspects of EV charging on state-owned properties and set a framework that could influence commercial expectations. A cost-recovery policy took effect on January 1, 2025 for EV stations on state properties, establishing set fees per kWh and idle fees for both Level 2 and DC Fast Charging to support sustainable operations, which could inform similar public-private cost models in commercial projects. While residential rebate programs like PowerUpRI focus on homeowners, commercial entities can leverage incentive programs and NEVI opportunities to offset installation costs and align with the state’s broader Act on Climate goals to reduce transportation emissions and accelerate EV adoption.

Solar Power in Rhode Island -

Rhode Island’s policy environment in 2026 continues to be strongly supportive of commercial-scale solar development, embedding commercial projects within its broader Renewable Energy Growth (REG) framework while offering targeted incentives and clearly defined project classifications. Under state statute, commercial-scale solar is defined as installations greater than 250 kW but less than 1 MW nameplate capacity, distinct from medium and large categories, which helps structure incentives and bidding processes for different project sizes.

 At the core of Rhode Island’s support for commercial solar is the Renewable Energy Growth (REG) Program, administered by Rhode Island Energy and overseen by the Office of Energy Resources (OER). The REG program allows eligible distributed generation projects, including commercial solar, to sell power into the grid under long-term tariffs at fixed prices, typically over 15–20 years, providing predictable revenue streams that reduce financing risk. For 2024-2026, the OER and the Distributed Generation Board developed a multi-year plan of ceiling prices and capacity allocations to encourage consistent deployment, with commercial solar classes integrated into this plan and scheduled to launch enrollment windows (e.g., late May for commercial projects in 2026).

 In addition to regulated tariffs, financial incentives augment commercial solar economics. The state’s Renewable Energy Fund offers upfront grant support for commercial installations (with incentives that scale by size and are paired with net-metering, albeit mutually exclusive with the REG path), and federal tax incentives like the Investment Tax Credit can be combined with state programs to improve project returns. Moreover, targeted adders—such as the Brownfield Remediation Solar Incentive—provide extra per-kilowatt funding when commercial and large solar projects are sited on remediated land, aligning renewable energy deployment with environmental remediation goals.