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 (Rounds) | Commercial Scale (Rounds) | Enrollment Date | Funding Budget | Remaining Funds (as of 7/14/20) |
| 24 | 23 | March 2, 2020 (Starting at 9:00am) |
Small Scale: $600,000 Commercial Scale: $250,000 |
Small Scale: CLOSED Commercial Scale: CLOSED |
| 25 | 24 | July 13, 2020 (Starting at 9:00am) |
Small Scale: $600,000 Commercial Scale: $250,000 |
Small Scale: CLOSED Commercial Scale: CLOSED |
| 26 | 25 | Sept 28, 2020 (Starting at 9:00am) |
Small Scale: $550,000 Commercial Scale: $250,000 Carport Adder: $709,000 |
Small Scale: $550,000 Commercial Scale: $250,000 Carport Adder: $709,000 |
| Workforce Development- Clean Energy Internship program | CLOSED | Students & Companies: March 20, 2020 | $90,700 | |
| Community Renewables | Rolling Basis | Closes when cap is reached | $600,000 | |
| Brownfields Solar PV Program | May 5, 2020 (Starting at 9am) | Closes when cap is reached | CLOSED | |
– 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 (Blocks) |
Enrollment Date | Application Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | March 2, 2020 (Starting at 9:00am) | CLOSED |
| 24 | July 13, 2020 (Starting at 9:00am) | CLOSED |
| 25 | September 28, 2020 (Starting at 9:00am) | October 30, 2020 |
– Blocks will close on the due date or if available funds have been reached.
Block Application Documents
Request for Projects 
(Please review this document for application instructions)
Funding Flier
Direct Ownership Projects Application
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 (Blocks) |
Enrollment Date | Application Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | March 2, 2020 (Starting at 9:00am) | CLOSED |
| 25 | July 13, 2020 (Starting at 9:00am) | CLOSED |
| 26 | September 28, 2020 (Starting at 9:00am) | October 30, 2020 |
– Blocks will close on the due date or if available funds have been reached.
Block Application Documents
Request for Projects
(Please review this document for application instructions)
Funding Flier
Direct Ownership Projects Application
Project Checklist- Excel Template
Consumer Disclosure Form
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
Community Renewables
The REF seeks to fund Community Renewable projects.
Applications will be accepted as a first come, first served process on a rolling-basis.
| Enrollment Date | Funding Budget | Remaining Funds (as of 2/1/19) |
| Open- Rolling Basis | $600,000 | $600,000 |
Note: Hard copies are not requirement but holds as an option. Please submit your applications (all sections) via email to REF@commerceri.com.
Clean Energy Internship Program- Summer 2020
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 2020.
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 or applications via email to REF@commerceri.com.
Learn how to apply by choosing the options below:
- Are you a student interested in becoming a Clean Energy Intern for the summer of 2020?
- Student Application
- Deadline: March 31, 2020 – CLOSED
- Marketing Flier
- Do you have a Clean Energy company and are looking for interns for the summer of 2020?
- Company Application
- Deadline: March 31, 2020 – CLOSED
- 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 7/14/20) |
| May 5, 2020 (Starting at 9am)- Closes when cap is reached | $1,000,000 | CLOSED |
Note: Hard copies are not requirement but holds as an option. Please submit your applications (all sections) via email to REF@commerceri.com.
Education Materials
Learn more about Rhode Island Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Programs.
REF EDUCATIONAL
MATERIALS
Rooftop Solar Financing 101
REF EDUCATIONAL
MATERIALS
Choosing a Solar Installer
REF EDUCATIONAL
MATERIALS
Will Solar Panels Save You Money?
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