Rhode Island

Also on the rise: Rhode Island passes new consumer protections for solar industry amid rising concerns. Near $1 billion solar cell factory announced in New Mexico. And more.

Governor McKee has signed new legislation protecting consumers from aggressive sales practices by door-to-door solar salespeople. Compliance includes federal background checks, disclosure of savings documentation, and detailed breakdowns of lease versus cash system pricing.

The act sets a storage procurement goal for the state requires utilities to create an interconnection tariff that values the flexibility benefits of energy storage.

The Solar Neighborhoods Act aims to mandate solar power systems covering at least 80% of the site’s electricity usage, or at least 50% of a parking lot area, while also proposing EV charging infrastructure requirements.

The Rhode Island projects range from 250 kW to 5.4 MW and include rehabilitated brownfield sites, landfills, and serve organizations like the YMCA and low-income housing authorities.

Driven by a rising demand for uninterrupted services, corporate ESG goals, and military resilience plans, Wood Mackenzie estimates the U.S. microgrid market has seen a 47% increase in solar and storage capacity in 2022 compared to 2017 levels.

The power generated by the two ground-mount projects will be subscribed through the state’s virtual net metering program.

Also on the rise: Toledo Solar talks made-in-USA solar for stable supply chains, lower emissions, fair labor. What’s the value of curtailing renewables? And more.

The state legislature amended their local tax laws to lock in the assessed value of land on which renewable energy projects are built.

Also on the rise: Thousands of Californians rally before utility commission to preserve rooftop solar. Rhode Island aims to be the first state to reach 100% renewable electricity. Redflow announces integration with US inverter company.