Rhode Island General Laws 39-26.6-7. Solar project size categories
(a) Tariff(s) shall be proposed for each of the following solar distributed-generation classes:
(1) Small-scale solar projects;
(2) Medium-scale solar projects;
(3) Commercial-scale solar projects; and
(4) Large-scale solar projects.
Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 39-26.6-7
- Board: shall mean the distributed-generation board as established pursuant to the provisions of Rhode Island General Laws 39-26.6-3
- Ceiling price: means the bidding price cap(s) applicable to each annual enrollment for a given distributed-generation class, that shall be approved for each renewable energy class pursuant to the procedure established in this chapter. See Rhode Island General Laws 39-26.6-3
- Commission: means the Rhode Island public utilities commission. See Rhode Island General Laws 39-26.6-3
- Preferred sites: means a location for a renewable energy system that has had prior development, including, but not limited to: landfills, gravel pits and quarries, highway and major road median strips, brownfields, superfund sites, parking lots or sites that are designated appropriate for carports, and all rooftops including, but not limited to, residential, commercial, industrial and municipal buildings. See Rhode Island General Laws 39-26.6-3
- Program year: means a year beginning April 1 and ending March 31, except for the first program year, that may commence after April 1, 2015, subject to commission approval. See Rhode Island General Laws 39-26.6-3
(b) Such classes of solar distributed-generation projects shall be established based on nameplate megawatt size as follows:
(1) Large-scale solar projects shall be comprised of four (4) classes as follows:
(i) One megawatt (1 MW) but less than five megawatts (5 MW), nameplate capacity;
(ii) Five megawatts (5 MW), but less than ten megawatts (10 MW), nameplate capacity;
(iii) Ten megawatts (10 MW), but less than fifteen megawatts (15 MW), nameplate capacity; and
(iv) Fifteen megawatts (15 MW), but less than thirty-nine megawatts (39 MW), nameplate capacity for projects located on preferred sites;
(2) Commercial scale shall be comprised of solar projects greater than two hundred fifty kilowatts (250 KW), but less than one megawatt (1 MW) nameplate capacity;
(3) Medium scale shall be comprised of solar projects greater than twenty-five kilowatts (25 KW), up to and including, two hundred fifty kilowatts (250 KW) nameplate capacity; and
(4) Small scale shall be comprised of solar projects up to and including twenty-five kilowatts (25 KW) nameplate capacity.
(c) Other classifications of solar projects may also be proposed by the board, subject to the approval of the commission. After the second program year, the board may make recommendations to the commission to adjust the size categories of the solar classes, provided that the medium-scale solar projects may not exceed two hundred fifty kilowatts (250 KW); and/or allocated capacity to community distributed-generation facilities, allowing them to compete or enroll under a distinct ceiling price.
History of Section.
P.L. 2014, ch. 200, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 216, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 149, § 4; P.L. 2016, ch. 163, § 4; P.L. 2023, ch. 300, § 2, effective June 24, 2023; P.L. 2023, ch. 301, § 2, effective June 24, 2023.