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SB 2359

AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- NET METERING -- PORTABLE SOLAR GENERATION DEVICES

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bob Britto and 9 co-sponsors

SB 2359 broadens net metering rules and exempts portable solar devices from interconnection and net-metering, easing access for movable solar use.

04/15/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · SB 2359

Summary of SB 2359 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Purpose and Intent

SB 2359 proposes to update Rhode Island’s net metering framework and to create an explicit exemption for portable solar generation devices from the net metering program. The bill aims to (a) refine definitions and rules governing net metering, including community remote net-metering and various eligible participants, and (b) exclude portable solar devices that meet specific criteria from the net metering program and related interconnection requirements.

Key Provisions

1) Definitions and Net Metering Framework (Section 1)

  • Updates and clarifies several terms used in the net metering law, including:

    • Community remote net-metering system: credits allocated to low- or moderate-income housing or other eligible accounts, with limits on how credits are distributed among recipients and capped by annual energy usage.
    • Core forest, eligible net-metering resource, eligible net-metering system, and eligible net-metering system site: detailed criteria to ensure credits align with on-site consumption and geographic/logistical restrictions.
    • Eligible credit recipients: residential accounts, low- or moderate-income housing recipients, educational institutions, and commercial/industrial customers, with specific criteria for housing affordability programs.
    • Net-metering credits: renewable net-metering credits (up to 100% of on-site usage) and excess credits (up to 125% of on-site usage, valued at ISO-NE wholesale energy clearing price plus related charges, subject to adjustments).
    • Third-party net-metering financing arrangements: financing structures that involve a third party.
    • Portable solar generation devices are expressly excluded from the definition of an eligible net-metering system (see below).

  • Important note: The act confirms that, after July 1, 2060, an eligible net-metering system is interconnected “behind the same meter” as the customer’s load, with certain exceptions, and reiterates that portable devices are not included as eligible systems.

2) Portable Solar Generation Device Exemption (New Section 39-26.4-3.1)

  • Establishes a defined category: portable solar generation devices that meet specified criteria are exempt from:
    • Interconnection standards and utility technical requirements.
    • The requirement to submit a complete interconnection application (and related permits/technical compliance).
    • The overall net-metering program requirements.
  • Safety and reliability features:
    • Portable devices must include a mechanism to prevent energizing the building’s electrical system during a power outage (anti-islanding).
  • Utility limitations:
    • Electric distribution companies may not require customers to obtain approval, pay fees, install additional controls beyond the device’s own integration, or be liable for damage caused by portable devices.

3) Effective Date

  • The act takes effect upon passage.

Who and What is Affected

  • Electric distribution companies in Rhode Island and their customers engaged in net metering, including residential, low- or moderate-income housing recipients, educational institutions, and commercial/industrial customers.
  • Public entities and multi-municipal collaboratives utilizing public entity net-metering arrangements.
  • Developers and financiers involved in net-metering financing arrangements.
  • Portable solar devices that meet the specified criteria would be exempt from net-metering requirements, reducing regulatory barriers for these devices.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced January 30, 2026; referred to Senate Environment & Agriculture.
  • March–April 2026: committee action with a note indicating the measure was held for further study (April 15, 2026).
  • The act would take effect immediately upon passage.

Impact Considerations

  • The portable device exemption could broaden the use of small, movable solar devices by reducing regulatory hurdles, potentially expanding consumer access to solar generation.
  • The more expansive definitions and credits for community remote net-metering and various eligible recipients aim to broaden participation and equity in net metering, though credits are subject to caps and distribution rules.
  • Overall, SB 2359 seeks to modernize net metering rules, clarify eligibility, manage credit allocations, and accommodate portable solar technologies within or outside the traditional net-metering framework.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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