FINANCING
Clem's Electric
RENEWABLE ENERGY FUND
About REF
CommerceRI’s Renewable Energy Fund (REF) exists to help expand the role of renewable energy throughout Rhode Island, so the state and its citizens can reap the full benefits of cost-effective renewable energy from diverse sources.
REF provides grants for renewable energy projects that have the potential to produce electricity in a cleaner, more sustainable manner, while stimulating job growth in the green technology and energy sectors. Using funds from the “system benefit charge” on electric bills and alternative compliance payments received from retail electricity providers, CommerceRI funds renewable energy projects in Small Scale solar, Commercial Scale, and Community Renewables.
Funding Level Information
| Small-Scale and Commercial- Scale Grant Rounds | Enrollment Date | Incentive Information (Rounds 22-2 and 22-3) | Remaining Funds |
|
22-2
22-3
|
Small Scale: 7/18/22, 9am Commercial Scale: 7/25/22, 9am
Small Scale: 10/17/22, 9am Commercial Scale: 10/24/22, 9am
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Small Scale PV: $.65/watt, max $5,000 per individual project Commercial Scale PV: Max Grant: $75,000/project; $150,000/installer/round
Small Scale Energy Storage Adder: $2,000/system Commercial Scale Energy Storage Adder: $.50/watt; $40,000 cap. Incentive is calculated using the max. continuous power rating of the energy storage component. Commercial Carport Adder: $.55/watt, Max $200,000
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The Small Scale and Commercial Scale PV Programs are currently not accepting new grantapplications. New Applications will be accepted on the next enrollment date.
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Workforce Development- Clean Energy Internship program Enrollment for Fall Session – Student and Employer application deadline: 4/15/22 |
$150,000 | $150,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Community Renewables – CLOSED for program Evaluation | $568,800 | CLOSED for evaluation. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Brownfields Solar PV Program – Enrollment opened May 19, 2021 | $1M | Remaining funds: $270.000. Applications accepted on a rolling basis | |||||||||||||||||||||
– Rounds will close on the due date or if available funds have been reached.
– Unused funds will go to pending applications or general funds. Subject to REF administrator’s decision.
– Subject to change.
– Subject to availability of funds.
REF Programs
Commercial Scale Projects
Commercial Scale Funding Program Approximate Time Table
All dates are approximate and subject to change.
| Rounds |
Enrollment Date | Application Close Date |
|---|---|---|
| 22-2 | July 25, 2022 (Starting at 9:00am) | August 1, 2022 |
| 22-3 | October 24, 2022 (Starting at 9:00am) | November 7, 2022 |
– Blocks will close on the application closing date or if available funds have been reached.
Commercial Scale- Application Documents
- Request for Projects
(Please review this document for application instructions) - Funding Flyer
- REF Application for Commercial D.O., T.P.O., and Carport Projects
Self-Inspection Forms: Completed projects will be required to submit Completion documents including the following Self-Inspection form (choose the form that fits your project):
- Self-Inspection PV Template: https://commerceri.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Commerce-RI_REF-PV-Self-Inspection-Report-4.18.22_Template.docx
- Self-Inspection – PV + ESS Template: https://commerceri.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Commerce-RI_REF-PVESS-Self-Inspection-Report_4.18.22Template.docx
NEW! Energy Storage Adder- Application Documents
- Request for Projects (Energy Storage Adder)
(Please review this document for application instructions) - Direct Ownership Project Application (Energy Storage Adder)
Note: Hard copies are no longer a requirement but holds as an option. Please submit your applications (all sections) via email to REF@commerceri.com
Small Scale Projects
Small Scale Funding Program Approximate Time Table
All dates are approximate and subject to change.
| Rounds |
Enrollment Date | Application Close Date |
|---|---|---|
| 22-2 | July 18, 2022, 9am | August 1, 2022 |
| 22-3 | October 24, 2022, 9am | October 31, 2022 |
– Blocks will close on the application close date or if available funds have been reached.
Block Application Documents
Request for Projects
(Please review this document for application instructions)
Funding Flyer
Direct Ownership Projects Application
Project Checklist- Excel Template
Consumer Disclosure Form
NEW! Energy Storage Adder- Application Documents
- Request for Projects (Energy Storage Adder)
(Please review this document for application instructions) - Direct Ownership Project Application (Energy Storage Adder)
Note: Hard copies are no longer a requirement but holds as an option. Please submit your applications (all sections) via email to REF@commerceri.com
Small-Scale Self-Inspection Forms: Self Inspection forms should be submitted with project completion forms:
Small Scale Self-Inspection PV Template:https://commerceri.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Commerce-RI_REF-PV-Self-Inspection-Report-4.18.22_Template.docx
Small Scale Self-Inspection PV + ESS Template:https://commerceri.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Commerce-RI_REF-PVESS-Self-Inspection-Report_4.18.22Template.docx
Community Renewables
| Enrollment Date | Funding Budget | Remaining Funds (as of 12/31/21) |
| CLOSED | $600,000 | $509,300.00 |
Applications are not being taken while the program is under evalution.
Clean Energy Internship Program - Summer 2022
The Renewable Energy Fund (REF) and the RI Office of Energy Resources (OER) seeks to match clean energy companies with RI undergraduate and graduate interns for the Summer of 2022.
Rhode Island’s clean energy industry has seen significant employment growth with an impressive 74% increase since 2014. Over 16,021 green jobs ranging from direct construction, engineering, research, policy, professional services, energy efficiency and more! The RI Clean Energy Internship Program is designed to help provide internship opportunities in these careers. Students will be able to professionally develop under the mentorship of an industry partner to combat real world problems in energy and the environment.
- Please submit your questions via email to Abby Hasenfus: abigail.hasenfus@energy.ri.gov
Learn how to apply by choosing the options below:
- Are you a student interested in becoming a Clean Energy Intern for the summer of 2022?
- Please apply through the Clean Energy Internship Portal: https://refinternships.commerceri.com/login/
- Deadline: April 15, 2022
- Marketing Flier
- Do you have a Clean Energy company and are looking for interns for the summer of 2022?
- Please apply through the Clean Energy Internship Portal: https://refinternships.commerceri.com/login/
- Deadline: 4/15/22
- Marketing Flier
- Host Company Program Process
For Frequently Asked Questions: Please click HERE
Brownfields Solar PV Program
The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation (RI Commerce) and the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) seeks to fund solar PV on Brownfield locations. All projects must be in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for the Renewable Energy Fund Development Program.
Applications will be accepted as a first come, first served process on a rolling-basis until funding is exhausted.
| Enrollment Date | Funding Budget | Remaining Funds (as of 1/20/22) |
| May 19, 2021 | $1,000,000 | $266,720.00 |
Note: Hard copies are not requirement but holds as an option. Please submit your applications (all sections) via email to REF@commerceri.com.
NEW! Energy Storage Adder- Application Documents
- Request for Projects
(Energy Storage Adder)
(Please review this document for application instructions) - Brownfield Energy Storage Adder Application
Education Materials
Learn more about Rhode Island Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Programs.
CONTACT
US TODAY
KAREN STEWART
REF PROGRAM MANAGER
401.278.9112
ABIGAIL DRANSFIELD
REF PROJECT COORDINATOR
401.278.9196
