STATE SOLAR LAWS
Rhode Island has ambitious renewable energy goals and a growing solar market. Here's what Ocean State law says about your rights as a solar consumer.
Updated March 2026 · Not legal advice · Our methodology
Rhode Island has set some of the most ambitious renewable energy goals in the nation, with a target of 100% renewable electricity by 2033. This policy environment, combined with high electricity rates and various incentive programs, has driven strong growth in residential solar installations. However, the rapid expansion of the solar market has also led to contract disputes. This guide covers the key Rhode Island laws that affect your solar contract, your cancellation rights, and your options if you need to exit a solar agreement in the Ocean State.
If you signed a solar contract in Rhode Island through a door-to-door or in-home sales transaction, you generally have a right to cancel under both federal and state law.
The Federal Trade Commission's Cooling-Off Rule (16 CFR Part 429) provides a 3-business-day right to cancel for sales made at your home. This applies to most door-to-door solar sales. The cancellation period runs until midnight of the third business day after signing.
Rhode Island's Home Solicitation Sales Act provides specific protections for consumers who sign contracts as a result of door-to-door solicitation. Under R.I. Gen. Laws 6-28-1 through 6-28-9, if a sale was solicited at your home, you generally have the right to cancel within three business days. The seller must provide you with a written notice of your right to cancel and two copies of a cancellation form.
Key detail: Under Rhode Island's Home Solicitation Sales Act, the seller must provide you with a clearly readable notice of your cancellation rights. If the seller failed to provide this notice or if it was deficient, your cancellation period may not have started running, potentially extending your right to cancel beyond the standard 3-day window. Consult a qualified attorney to evaluate your specific situation.
The cooling-off period typically applies when the sale was initiated through an unsolicited visit to your home:
Important: If you are within the cooling-off period, act immediately. Send your cancellation notice via certified mail and keep a copy. Do not rely on phone calls. Pre-installation cancellation guide →
Rhode Island's Deceptive Trade Practices Act prohibits unfair or deceptive acts in trade or commerce. In the solar context, this may include:
The Deceptive Trade Practices Act provides for actual damages, punitive damages in certain cases, and attorney fees. In our assessment, this makes it a strong tool for Rhode Island solar consumers who were misled.
Rhode Island requires contractors to be registered and licensed through the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board. Solar installation work generally requires appropriate electrical and/or general contractor licensing. If your solar installer was not properly licensed, this is a significant issue that may affect your contract's enforceability.
The RI PUC regulates Rhode Island Energy (formerly National Grid), the state's primary electric utility. The PUC oversees net metering, the Renewable Energy Growth program, interconnection standards, and rate structures.
Rhode Island has net metering under R.I. Gen. Laws 39-26.4 and PUC regulations. The program allows qualifying solar customers to receive credits for excess electricity they export to the grid.
Under current Rhode Island net metering rules:
Rhode Island's REG program is a unique incentive that provides fixed-rate payments for solar generation through a competitive enrollment process. Under the REG program, participants receive a fixed per-kWh payment for electricity generated for a term of 15-20 years, in addition to net metering benefits.
If a solar company misrepresented the terms or availability of the REG program during sales, this may support a consumer protection claim.
Rhode Island's Renewable Energy Standard (RES) requires the state's electric utility to procure an increasing percentage of electricity from renewable sources. Combined with the 100% Renewable Energy by 2033 Act, this creates a supportive policy environment. However, be cautious of sales representatives who misrepresent state-level mandates as creating direct personal financial benefits.
Rhode Island's interconnection standards establish the requirements for connecting solar systems to the grid through Rhode Island Energy. Key aspects include application and approval processes, technical requirements, timelines, and insurance provisions.
Rhode Island law (R.I. Gen. Laws 44-3-21) provides a property tax exemption for renewable energy systems. This means the added value of your solar installation should generally be exempt from property tax. If a solar company misrepresented property tax implications, this may support a claim.
Based on our research, the most common solar contract disputes in Rhode Island involve:
While Rhode Island's high electricity rates make solar attractive, some homeowners report savings below what was promised. New England's variable weather, shorter winter days, and occasional snow coverage can all affect production. If savings guarantees have not materialized, this may constitute a deceptive practice under R.I. Gen. Laws 6-13.1-1 et seq.
Some solar companies have misrepresented the Renewable Energy Growth program — either overstating the payment rates, guaranteeing enrollment (which is competitive), or conflating REG payments with net metering credits. If your sales presentation included inaccurate REG program representations, this may provide grounds for a claim.
Solar leases and PPAs may result in a UCC-1 financing statement being filed with the Rhode Island Secretary of State. If undisclosed, this may support a claim for rescission. UCC lien removal guide →
Solar door-to-door sales have been active throughout Rhode Island's compact geography. Common violations include failure to provide required cancellation notices under the Home Solicitation Sales Act, misrepresenting program benefits, and using high-pressure tactics. These violations may extend cancellation rights.
Solar PPAs and leases with annual price escalators can erode the savings advantage in Rhode Island over time. If the escalator was not clearly disclosed, you may have grounds for relief. PPA exit guide →
Dealing with a solar contract issue in Rhode Island? Get a free preliminary review of your contract and options.
If you need to get out of a solar contract in Rhode Island, here is a general step-by-step framework:
Read your entire solar contract including all addendums. Pay attention to cancellation clauses, buyout provisions, escalator terms, REG program terms, and performance guarantees.
If you signed within the last 3 business days through a door-to-door sale, you may cancel at no cost. Send written notice via certified mail immediately. Cancellation guide →
Gather all documentation including the contract, amendments, sales materials, correspondence, utility bills, and any recordings (Rhode Island is a one-party consent state under R.I. Gen. Laws 11-35-21).
File a formal complaint with the Rhode Island Attorney General's Consumer Protection Unit. This creates an official record and may prompt the solar company to negotiate.
We always recommend consulting with a Rhode Island-licensed attorney experienced in consumer protection and solar disputes. Find a solar panel lawyer →
Important: We do not advise homeowners to stop making payments or breach contractual obligations. Failing to make payments could result in damage to your credit, collection actions, or acceleration of the full contract balance. Continue making payments while you explore your legal options.
Rhode Island follows both the federal FTC Cooling-Off Rule and the state Home Solicitation Sales Act (R.I. Gen. Laws 6-28-1 et seq.), providing a 3-business-day right to cancel for door-to-door sales. If the seller failed to provide required notices, the window may be extended. Cancellation guide ��
After the cooling-off period, direct cancellation is generally not available without cost. Rhode Island's Deceptive Trade Practices Act (R.I. Gen. Laws 6-13.1-1 et seq.) may provide grounds for rescission, including potential punitive damages and attorney fees, if deceptive practices were involved. Full exit guide →
Rhode Island has net metering under R.I. Gen. Laws 39-26.4. Credits are generally at the retail rate through Rhode Island Energy. The state also offers the Renewable Energy Growth (REG) program providing fixed-rate payments for solar generation. Virtual net metering is available. Contact Rhode Island Energy or the PUC for specifics.
The REG program provides fixed-rate payments for solar electricity generation through a competitive enrollment process. Participants receive a per-kWh payment for 15-20 years. Enrollment is competitive and not guaranteed. If a solar company guaranteed REG enrollment or misrepresented the payment terms, this may constitute a deceptive practice.
File complaints with the RI Attorney General's Consumer Protection Unit at (401) 274-4400. For utility issues, contact the RI PUC at (401) 780-2107. The Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board handles contractor complaints at (401) 462-9500. File with all relevant agencies.
Get a free preliminary contract review or see which companies our editorial team recommends for solar exits.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Solar contract terms and exit options vary by contract, company, and individual circumstances. Results vary by individual situation. We do not advise homeowners to stop making payments or breach contractual obligations. SolarPanelExit.com and TRU Solar Cancellation share common ownership. Consult a qualified Rhode Island-licensed attorney before taking action. See our Ownership Disclosure, Advertiser Disclosure, and Methodology.