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Best Solar Companies in Rhode Island (2024)

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Author Image Written by Tamara Jude Updated 11/06/2024

More and more Rhode Island homeowners are turning to solar energy due to the state’s higher-than-average electricity rates. The state government plans to achieve 100% renewable energy use by 2033—one of the country’s most aggressive renewable energy goals. Rhode Island supports this through generous state solar incentives and credits

Our team spent more than 60 hours researching leading solar providers, including options for Rhode Island homeowners. We’ve detailed the state’s best solar companies below and what to look for in a solar company.

Key Takeaways

  • The best solar company in Rhode Island is Momentum Solar for its flexible solar financing options. Our findings are based on a synthesis of expert interviews, user reviews, and a survey of 1,000 homeowners.
  • Rhode Island offers solar grants for first time solar buyers. These grants are awarded annually but limited in quantity, so you’ll want to apply early.
  • Rhode Island is one of 34 states to offer net metering, which allows homeowners to sell excess energy produced by their solar system back to their utility in exchange for a credit on their power bill.

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Company Star Rating Warranties Payment Options Link
4.4
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Rhode Island’s Top Solar Energy Companies

Best Solar Panel Installation: Momentum Solar
Best Certified Installer: Trinity Solar
Momentum Best Installation Process
4.4
  • Why we chose it: Momentum offers one of the best solar installation processes with start-to-finish assistance and timely project updates. Momentum uses in-house installers to minimize communication issues and deliver faster installations.
  • Payment Options: Full purchase, loan, lease, power purchase agreement (PPA)

Learn more: Momentum Solar review

Pros and Cons
Pros Customer assistance with solar incentives and rebates enrollment Enphase partnership includes complimentary solar battery monitoring Has North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certification Cons Some customer reviews noted aggressive sales tactics Limited selection of solar products
Warranty and Financing

The company offers a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty to cover any defects. You’ll also receive 25-year workmanship coverage for any installation-related issues.

Reputation and Awards

Since 2016, Momentum earned a spot on the Inc. 500 and Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies. Momentum has also annually ranked in the top 50 Rooftop Solar installers list for Solar Power Magazine since 2018.

Momentum Solar holds an A+ rating and is accredited by the BBB. Based on customer reviews our team read, homeowners complimented Momentum’s customer service and quality panels but raised concerns over installation scheduling delays and spam calls.

Trinity Best Certified Installer
4.2

Trinity Solar holds several prestigious solar certifications from NABCEP and the Building Performance Institute (BPI) and offers over 30 years of solar industry experience. 

Pros and Cons
Pros Additional roofing, electrical, and general contracting services Almost three decades of business experience Multiple solar installation certifications Cons Five-year workmanship warranty No power production guarantee Some customers had issues contacting customer support
Why We Chose Trinity Solar

Trinity Solar stands out as one of the industry’s most experienced solar installers. It has 30 years of business experience and certifications from NABCEP and BPI. Its team of in-house installers is trained on the latest solar installation policies, ethics, and standards, ensuring a quality installation for each project. The company offers high-quality solar panels from Q Cells and SolarEdge, plus Enphase inverters and Tesla and Generac batteries.

Homeowners can review their system stats and energy usage through the SolarEdge or Enphase dedicated apps. Trinity also offers additional home services, such as energy auditing, solar repair and maintenance, roofing, and electrical and general contracting.

Warranty and Financing

Warranty

Trinity Solar offers 25-year manufacturing warranties with its panels and a five-year workmanship warranty. 

Financing Options
✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
✔ Lease
✔ PPA

Reputation and Awards

Trinity Solar is the largest privately held residential solar installation company in the United States, with over 1,900 employees and 77,000 customers. The company partners with nonprofit organizations to raise money and provide no-cost installations to its members.

Trinity is accredited by the BBB and maintains an A+ rating. While reading homeowner reviews, we noted that customers praised the professional and helpful sales team but had difficulty contacting customer support for repairs.

Note: In July 2024, SunPower notified dealers it would be halting all new shipments and project installations. The company also noted it would “no longer be supporting new Leases and PPA sales nor new project installations of these financing options.


What Are the Available Solar Incentives in Rhode Island?

Qualifying solar system owners can use the federal tax credit to receive up to 30% off solar installation costs. The credit applies to your owed federal taxes, reducing or eliminating your tax liability. The federal solar tax credit applies to photovoltaic (PV) equipment, such as rooftop and ground-mount panels, solar shingles, and standalone energy storage. 

The state offers two tax exemptions to reduce final system costs. The Sales Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy eliminates the 7% state sales tax at the point of sale. With the Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Equipment, you’ll receive a 100% property tax exemption with your solar installation. This means you benefit from solar’s added home value without the additional property tax. 

The Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund (REF) offers one-time payments of $5,000–$75,000, depending on your system size and type. These funds go directly to your solar installer and help reduce overall costs. Installers handle most of this paperwork and must apply on the customer’s behalf. The Rhode Island Renewable Energy Growth (REG) program lets customers sell their generated solar energy at fixed pricing for 15–20 years. Homeowners cannot participate in both programs. 

Rhode Island’s net-metering program lets homeowners earn energy bill credits for returning excess energy to the power grid. The program is mandated throughout the state and includes an earning cap of no more than 125% of your home’s power use. After reviewing program details, we learned that customers receive retail rate payouts for extra energy until they reach 100% capacity. The following 25% reduces to the avoided cost rate (the rate that utility companies pay to produce electricity).


What Should You Look For in a Solar Company?

When shopping for solar installation companies, remember these key features and services. 

Solar Services

Companies use in-house or third-party contractors to complete their solar panel installations. In-house installers work directly for the company, providing higher-quality installations and better communication. With third-party teams, installation results could vary by location. Using outside installers may also create communication issues since you’ll coordinate with a point of contact other than the solar installer. We recommend working with solar companies that employ in-house teams. 

Some solar panel companies offer additional services and benefits to support solar system performance, such as system monitoring, dedicated web portals, and energy-tracking apps. Companies may also offer home upgrade services. Below are possible solar and home services offered by providers: 

  • Dedicated mobile app or web portal
  • Electrical services
  • Energy efficiency audits and upgrades
  • Home energy monitoring equipment
  • Roofing repair and replacement 
  • Smart home device installation 
  • Solar system monitoring

Warranties

Solar panels last about 25 years, and you’ll want warranty coverage that aligns with their life span. High-quality residential panels usually have longer warranty coverage than the best low cost solar manufacturers. These long-term warranties keep your investment protected against panel or performance failures. Here’s an overview of common solar system warranty types:

  • Manufacturer’s (or product) warranty: The coverage protects your solar panel system against manufacturing defects. 
  • Workmanship (or labor) warranty: This plan includes system coverage for installation-related issues. 
  • Power performance guarantee: This protection plan outlines your panels’ expected performance levels through a specific time frame. It includes repair or replacement options if your system falls below these specifications.

Warranty coverage, length, and availability vary between solar providers, so check each installer’s system coverage. 

Payment Options

Most solar companies offer two or more solar financing options to accommodate more homeowners’ budgets. Some payment options, such as solar loans and cash payments, provide added benefits such as legal system ownership. These options also qualify you for solar incentives and rebates. The most common solar payment options are below: 

  • Up-front (or cash) payments: You pay for the full system costs up-front. 
  • Solar loans: After an initial down payment, you make monthly payments with interest for a set time frame. 
  • Solar leases: This option requires little to no money down and includes monthly solar system “rental” payments. 
  • Power purchase agreements (PPAs): You make monthly payments for the solar energy you use instead of paying for the equipment.

Solar leases and PPAs keep system ownership with the provider, disqualifying you from added incentive savings. These payment options work best for homeowners uninterested in owning their solar equipment. We recommend choosing cash payments or solar loans for your purchase to maximize your savings and return on investment (ROI). 

Customer Support

When we analyzed solar customer reviews, we learned that finding a reachable customer service department was a major pain point for homeowners. Look for companies that offer multiple customer support contact options. Some typical contact methods include the following:

  • Email 
  • Phone
  • Online forms
  • Online chat
  • Text messaging 
  • In-app communications

How To Get a Solar Quote in Rhode Island

We recommend requesting solar quotes from multiple companies to find the best pricing, equipment, and warranty. Use our guide below to familiarize yourself with the typical solar quote process. 

  1. Schedule your consultation: Contact each company and schedule an in-person or virtual consultation. Plan about two hours for each consultation. 
  2. Have your latest electric bill on hand: Solar companies use your energy bill to determine your solar project’s size and energy output. Have your latest bill ready for each appointment. 
  3. Check your roof design: Each company will conduct an in-person or virtual roof assessment to determine its condition and any structural issues. They will note your available space and fit your solar arrays to your roof. Depending on your chosen solar panel type, you may need more room to accommodate more panels. 
  4. Build your new system: The solar installer will design your system based on your previous assessments. You can choose your preferred solar panel and inverter brands, system components, and add-ons, such as solar batteries and EV chargers. 
  5. Review each finalized quote: Each company will provide an itemized quote detailing your solar energy system. Quotes should include system pricing, installation costs, labor, and warranty details. You’ll also receive financing options and an estimated payback period. Compare each finalized quote to find the best option.

Our Conclusion

We selected Momentum Solar as the standout solar provider in Rhode Island. The company offers strong installation process. We recommend requesting free quotes from at least three solar providers to find the right fit for your home. 

Our team also reviewed the best national, regional, and local Providence solar companies.

Other Rhode Island Home Service Resources


FAQ About Solar Companies in Rhode Island

Are solar panels worth it in Rhode Island?

Yes, investing in solar panels is worth it in Rhode Island. Thanks to the state’s aggressive clean energy goals, residents benefit from generous solar incentives that help lower installation costs. In addition, Rhode Island receives 202 sunny days per year, making it an excellent climate for solar panels. 

What is the largest solar project in RI?

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Gold Meadow Farms in Cranston is one of Rhode Island’s largest solar projects. Providing 21.3 megawatts of electricity, this solar produces enough energy to power close to 4,200 homes. 

Can you get free solar panels in Rhode Island?

No, you cannot get free solar panels in Rhode Island. However, you can reduce solar panel installation costs with federal and state solar incentives. These credits and rebates help lower your total investment, making it more affordable to switch to solar energy. 

How much is the average electric rate in RI?

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Rhode Islanders paid around 23 cents per kilowatt for electricity in April 2023—about 44% higher than the national average. Moving to solar energy could cut expensive utility costs, providing a more cost-effective energy solution. 


Our Rating Methodology

We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:

  • Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
  • Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
  • Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
  • Financing options (15%)
  • Experience (10%)
  • Availability (10%)

Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.