Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems
Rhode Island law allows cities and towns to exempt renewable-energy systems from property taxation. A separate statute specifies that for purposes of local municipal property tax assessment, certain residential solar-energy systems may not be assessed at more than the value of a conventional heating system, a conventional hot-water system or energy production capacity that otherwise could be necessary to install in a building. Qualifying technologies include photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar water-heating systems and active solar space-heating systems. Contact: Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908-5890; 401-574-9111; Fax: 401-574-9125; http://www.energy.ri.gov/

Incentives and Low Interest Loans for Energy Efficient Programs
The National Grid Energy Wise program offers free home energy audits to all residential customers. Through this program, incentives and low-interest loans are available to help pay for improved insulation and the installation of Energy Star lighting, refrigerators, and windows. The type of assistance offered varies based on the heating fuel and the number of units in the facility. Contact: National Grid Energy Efficiency; 800-292-2032; http://www.thinksmartthinkgreen.com/

Rebates to Improve Energy Efficiency
National Grid offers a variety of energy efficiency incentives for residential customers. The National Grid New Construction program offers incentives and technical support to help their customers who are building an Energy Star certified home. In addition, the Energy Star Rebate program offers various rebates to National Grid's residential customers for the purchase and/or installation of certain Energy Star certified equipment. Eligible equipment includes lights, washers, room air conditioners, refrigerators, central air conditioners, heat pumps, and ECM motors installed in gas furnaces. Rebates range from $2 to $300. National Grid provides a free energy analysis, lighting system upgrades, and other electric efficiency measures. If the facility is electrically heated, it may also qualify for insulation and air sealing. Installation of some energy efficiency measures requires a customer co-payment. Contact: National Grid Energy Efficiency; 800-292-2032; http://www.thinksmartthinkgreen.com/

Heating Rebates on Offer for Residential Customers
National Grid offers a number of programs to encourage energy efficiency amongst its residential customers. National Grid's High Efficiency Heating Rebates are offered to any residential heating customer in Rhode Island. Eligible technologies include boilers and furnaces. Rebates of up to $1,000 are available, depending on equipment type. National Grid also offers $10 rebates to residential heating customers for every Energy Star replacement window with a U-factor of .35 or less installed in their home, and $50 rebates are available for the purchase and installation of programmable thermostats. In addition, National Grid offers a rebate of up to $300 for energy efficient on-demand tankless water heaters and high efficiency in-direct water heaters. National Grid Residential Weatherization Program is for heating customers in New England. The program provides a rebate covering 20% of the cost, up to $750, for various weatherization measures, including: attic, wall, basement, crawl space, rim joist, and heating system duct insulation; attic ventilation; and air infiltration and ductwork leakage testing and sealing. Contact: National Grid Energy Efficiency; 800-292-2032; http://www.thinksmartthinkgreen.com

Incentives for Solar Thermal Applications
National Grid provides incentives to residential customers who install solar thermal technologies. Recommended solar thermal applications include solar hot water heating (SHW), solar pool heating, and in some cases solar space heating or high temperature process applications. Eligibility requirements are in place to ensure quality installation of solar thermal systems. For residential customers that install a SHW system may apply for a rebate of 15% off project costs, up to a maximum rebate of $1,500. This rebate requires that participating customers share their water heating usage data for a period of 12 months. National Grid works directly with residential solar installers who submit rebate applications on behalf of the customer. Contact: National Grid (Gas); 800-292-2032; http://www.thinksmartthinkgreen.com

Production Incentive for Photovoltaic and Small Wind Energy Systems
The Energy Consumers Alliance of New England (ECANE), which operates as Peopleís Power & Light in Rhode Island, is a non-profit organization that buys renewable energy credits (RECs) from photovoltaic (PV) systems and small wind-energy systems. The RECs from PV systems and small wind-energy systems are packaged together with low-impact hydro and biomass RECs and sold as New England GreenStart, a renewable energy-based electricity product marketed through GreenUp. ECANE offers to purchase RECs from PV systems and small wind-energy systems installed after 1998 at $30 per megawatt-hour ($0.03 per kilowatt-hour) for a period of three years. Contact: Energy Consumers Alliance of New England, 670 Centre Street, Boston, MA 02130-2511; 617-524-3950; Fax: 617-524-0776; http://www.massenergy.com/Solar.REC.Sale.html

Sales Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems
Certain renewable energy systems and equipment sold in Rhode Island are exempt from the state's sales and use tax. Eligible products include solar electric systems, inverters for solar electric systems, solar thermal systems, manufactured mounting racks and ballast pans for solar collectors, geothermal heat pumps, and wind turbines and towers. Contact: Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908-5890; 401-574-9111; Fax: 401-574-9125; http://www.energy.ri.gov/

Personal Tax Credits for Renewable Energy Systems
Rhode Island offers a personal tax credit for photovoltaic (PV) systems (on-grid and off-grid), solar hot-water systems, active solar-heating systems, wind-energy systems and geothermal-energy systems. The tax credit is equal to 25% of the system cost and applies only to residential installations. The credit is available to the resident or business that pays for the system. Eligible PV, active solar space heating and wind-energy systems up to $15,000 each are eligible for the full 25% credit. Eligible solar hot water and geothermal systems up to $7,000 each are eligible for the full 25% credit. Contact: Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908-5890; 401-574-9111; Fax: 401-574-9125; http://www.energy.ri.gov/programs/renewable.php

Residential Solar Property Tax Exemption
Rhode Island law provides that for purposes of local municipal property tax assessment, certain residential solar-energy systems may not be assessed at more than the value of a conventional heating system, a conventional water-heating system or energy production capacity that otherwise could be necessary to install in a building. Qualifying technologies include photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar hot-water systems and active solar space-heating systems. Contact: Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908-5890; 401-574-9111; Fax: 401-574-9125; http://www.energy.ri.gov/