NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER 2017
Governor Raimondo signs bills supporting clean energy growth
On August 9, Governor Gina M. Raimondo signed legislation supporting the growth of clean energy in Rhode Island in front of a ground-mounted solar array at the Quonset Business Park.

The signing ceremony followed the passage of several bills:

  • Renewable Energy Growth Program (H-5273, S-112) - A 10-year extension of the renewable energy growth program, which enables customers to sell the electricity they generate back to the grid under long-term fixed prices.
  • Statewide Solar Permitting (H-5575, S-562) - Establishes a statewide solar permitting application to streamline the process for homeowners, businesses, property owners and solar developers who are looking to install solar systems in Rhode Island.
  • Renewable Energy Interconnection Standards (H-5483, S-637) - Streamlines the process of connecting renewable energy installations to the grid.
  • Renewable Energy/Farm Land Taxation (H-6095, S-570) - Allows farmers to install a renewable energy system on up to 20 percent of their total farm land acreage, thereby allowing farmers to support the state's clean energy goals while preserving our limited agricultural space.
  • Virtual Net Metering Program Expansion (H-5618, S-1007) - Expands virtual net metering (a program which allows customers to install solar systems offsite) to private/public schools, non-profits, federal government and hospitals.
Road to 1000 MW: Rocky Hill School uses solar panels as a teaching tool
Back-to-school season is here!

This month, we are highlighting the Rocky Hill School in Warwick, which not only has a rooftop solar array generating clean power for the building, but also uses the array in the classroom as an educational tool.
 
The project, installed by Newport Renewables on the Alan Flynn Jr. Upper School Building, includes 120 solar panels, which produces 41,000 kWh/year.

  • The solar PV array provides 20 percent of the building’s annual electricity.
  • Over the next 25 years, the system will offset 725 tons of CO2, the equivalent of 24 acres of trees being planted.
  • In total, the system will generate 1,950,000 kWh of electricity, which will offset power generated from fossil fuels.
  • Students have access to the system monitoring website and meteorological grade weather station to enhance their learning.

In March, Governor Raimondo announced an ambitious goal to add  1,000 megawatts of clean energy and 20,000 clean energy jobs to Rhode Island by the end of 2020. Rocky Hill School is just one example of the types of projects that are contributing to this goal.
Solarize Cranston & Charlestown reach Tier 3 milestone, saving customers 20-25% on solar systems
Solarize Cranston  and Charlestown both achieved an impressive milestone in September when they reached Tier 3, unlocking  20-25% cost savings  for all residents signed up to install solar panels on their homes.
 
To date,  40  contracts have been signed in Cranston, which total more than  260  kilowatts.   Charlestown has  34  signed contracts totaling  225 kilowatts.
 
The deadline for both programs has been  extended to October 6th , so if you are a resident of either Cranston and Charlestown, you still have time to go solar and save big.
 
Join us for our  Solarize Cranston  solar open house event on  Saturday, September 16 . Stop by one of our solar homes, listed below, anytime between 10am – 1pm to get your questions answered about going solar and the Solarize Cranston program. For information visit:  www.solarizeri.com/cranston  or call Karen at 401-215-3285.
 
54 Parkway Ave.
1499 Narragansett Pkwy.
402 Auburn St.
114 Clarence St.
16 Hope Rd.
 
Visit the  Solarize website  or email  DOA.SolarizeRI@energy.ri.gov  for more information.
Office of Energy Resources launches new website
The Office of Energy Resources has unveiled its new and improved website!
 
At the new  www.energy.ri.gov,  you can now more easily find information such as:
 
  • The latest programs and incentives for installing solar for your home or business.
  • Current and historic gasoline, diesel and heating oil prices.
  • Energy 101 information to answer your questions about Rhode Island’s energy system.
  • How to make your property more energy efficient so that you can save money on your electricity and heating bills.
  • Resources for cites & towns, government agencies and community partners.
  • And much more!
Energy Efficiency Council approves National Grid's 3-Year Efficiency Plan
The Energy Efficiency Resource Management Council (EERMC) voted last month to approve National Grid's Three-Year Efficiency Plan.

The plan creates a framework for delivering cost effective energy efficiency measures for all Rhode Islanders over the next three years.

National Grid highlighted the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency and touted the transformation of the lighting market, particularly the increased affordability of LEDs, as important program successes.

The plan predicts that energy efficiency programs from 2018 to 2020 will:
  • Provide more than $1.6 billion in benefits over the life of the installed measures.
  • Avoid the emission of 3.7 million tons of carbon over the lifetime of the installed measures, the equivalent of removing 709,000 cars from our roads for one year.
  • Add over $328.5 million to Rhode Island’s gross state product.
  • Create more than 4,822 job-years of employment.

For more details about the plan, including an overview of new customer incentives under consideration, visit our newsroom.
National Drive Electric Week to offer free electric vehicle test drives September 16
National Drive Electric Week is a nationwide celebration to heighten awareness of today's widespread availability of plug-in vehicles and highlight the benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more.

This year's event will be hosted at the  Misquamicut Business Association's Fall Festival  at the Misquamicut State Beach on Saturday, September 16th from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

There will be a lineup of many different electric vehicles from local dealerships in Rhode Island, along with local EV owners who will share their experience of driving electric.

After taking a test drive, check out the festival, listen to the concert and explore the beach. Those who bring their own electric vehicle, or take a test drive, will receive free admission into the fall festival! 


This event is brought to you by Ocean State Clean Cities, the Office of Energy Resources, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Rhode Island Department of Transportation, Rhode Island Department of Health and the Misquamicut Business Association.

UPCOMING EVENTS & MEETINGS
September 16
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Misquamicut State Beach, 257 Atlantic Avenue, Westerly, RI
September 21
3:30 to 5:30 p.m. 

1 Capitol Hill, Second Floor, Conf. Room B, Providence, RI
September 23
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

September 25
4:00 to 5:30 p.m.
1 Capitol Hill, Second Floor, Conf. Room B, Providence, RI
September 27
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
By CLEAResult on behalf of National Grid
11 Hemingway Drive, East Providence, RI
October 11
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
By CLEAResult on behalf of National Grid
1160 Cranston Street, Cranston, RI
October 19
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
By CLEAResult on behalf of National Grid
One Energy Way, West Warwick, RI
October 24
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
89 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick, RI
September 26

Omni Providence Hotel, 1 W Exchange St, Providence, RI
October 5

Celebrate Energy Efficiency with others across the nation.
October 19

Hosted by National Grid
Gillette Stadium, 1 Patriot Place, Foxboro, Mass.
Would you like to add your energy-related event to our calendar? Send the details and event URL to our editor at robert.beadle@energy.ri.gov .