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HB 7269

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

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Karen Alzate and 9 co-sponsors

Rhode Island HB 7269 reshapes net metering, expands credits and eligibility, enables third-party financing, and creates a clear exemption with safety rules for portable solar devic

06/09/2026 Referred to Senate Environment and Agriculture
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Bill Summary · HB 7269

Overview

HB 7269 (Rhode Island, 2026) would significantly reshape net metering rules and related incentives, and it adds a new category called portable solar generation devices. The bill aims to clarify definitions, modify eligibility and credit rules for net-metering projects, and exempt portable solar devices from net-metering requirements while imposing safety and liability guardrails.

Main purpose and intent

  • Reform and clarify the net-metering framework in Rhode Island, including community remote net metering, eligibility, and credit calculations.
  • Introduce and regulate portable solar generation devices, excluding them from the net-metering program and establishing safety protections for consumers.
  • Provide policy guidance on ownership structures, financing arrangements, and credits to support broader deployment of renewable energy, with attention to low- and moderate-income housing and public entities.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions expanded and refined (Section 39-26.4-2):
    • Community remote net-metering system: credits allocated to low- or moderate-income housing or eligible recipients, with specific allocation caps and three-year consumption baselines.
    • Core forest, eligible net-metering resource/system/site, and related terms to govern eligibility and siting.
    • Eligible credit recipients include residential accounts, low-/moderate-income housing, educational institutions, and commercial/industrial customers.
    • Excess renewable credits: credits beyond 100% up to 125% of generation, with credit value pegged to the ISO-New England energy clearing price (and related pricing mechanics).
    • New credit structures for public entities and multi-municipal collaboratives, including adjustments to credits and charges.
    • Net-metering financing arrangements: permits third-party ownership/financing for public/private entities under specific conditions.
    • Portable solar generation device: explicitly excluded from the eligible net-metering system definition (with a long list of design/ownership rules to ensure clarity).
  • Portable solar generation devices (new § 39-26.4-3.1):
    • Exempt from interconnection standards, utility requirements, and net-metering program eligibility.
    • Must include a safety feature to prevent energizing a building during power outages.
    • Utilities cannot require approval, fees, additional controls, or assume liability for portable devices.
  • Effective date: The act would take effect upon passage.

Who/what is affected

  • Electric distribution companies and their customers, particularly net-metering customers and eligible recipients.
  • Public entities, educational institutions, hospitals, nonprofits, and multi-municipal collaboratives participating in net-metering financing arrangements.
  • Developers and financiers involved in third-party net-metering financing arrangements.
  • Portability-enabled solar devices (portable solar generation devices) and their users, who would be exempt from net-metering requirements but subject to safety standards.
  • Areas with community remote net-metering projects, low-/moderate-income housing programs, and shared-use projects.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced January 23, 2026; referred to House Corporations.
  • Committee action history shows an initial hold for study, hearings planned, and scheduled consideration in June 2026.
  • If enacted, the act would take effect upon passage.
  • The bill includes interim arrangements for existing tariffs and on-file policies to remain in effect until new tariffs are approved, where applicable.

Practical impact

  • Potentially expands and clarifies how credits are allocated and valued for community remote and public-entity net-metering projects.
  • Encourages or enables third-party financing for net-metered resources, which could accelerate project development but adds financing structure considerations.
  • Introduces a clear exemption path for portable solar devices while enforcing safety and limiting grid interactions.
  • Provides clearer rules around siting, ownership, and eligibility to help prevent manipulation of net-metering sites and ensure credits reflect actual on-site consumption.

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

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