Solarize Charlestown ended in 2017. Fifty-eight Charlestown homeowners added solar panels to their homes as a result of the program. Charlestown’s was one of the most successful Solarize programs ever undertaken in Rhode Island. It had the potential to be even more successful, but the state ran out of incentives for residential solar in the fall of 2017. Members of the Town Council and Planning Commission lobbied the state to replenish the incentives, which they did eventually restore in April 2018. Once the incentives were restored, everyone who wanted panels under the program had the opportunity to get them. The state is proposing to increase the incentives for residential solar in 2019 so that more homes can qualify. Although Solarize Charlestown has ended, you can still get information about solar incentives from Solarize Rhode Island or from Sol Power the contractor for Solarize Charlestown.

Charlestown Selected for the Solarize Rhode Island Program
The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources and Commerce RI have selected Charlestown to participate in a program to make solar energy more affordable to residents and small businesses, and to simplify the process of finding a contractor and installing solar panels for personal electric generation.

Solarize Charlestown will bring residents together as a group to negotiate the lowest cost and easiest deal possible on solar panels for their roof or yard. The sign-up period begins on June 7 and ends on September 8 (now extended to October 6). This limited time period allows a bulk purchase of solar panels, so that the more people who sign up the less expensive it will be for each household.
The Solarize Charlestown Team
Julie Carroccia (Town Council Vice President) and Ruth Platner (Planning Commission Chair) wrote the application to allow Charlestown to qualify for the program. Charlestown resident Jeff Rayner serves as the “Solar Ambassador” with assistance from Stephen Stokes. Nancy Mogielnicki has also joined our team as a Solar Ambassador. Julie, Ruth, Jeff, Nancy, and Stephen are working to reach out to homeowners and businesses to explain the program.

Julie Carroccia
Ruth Platner

Solarize is a program of the State of Rhode Island. CCA’s only role in this project is to provide communication resources to Jeff, Julie, Stephen, and Ruth as we do with many other organizations and efforts in Charlestown.
Sol Power Chosen as Solarize Charlestown Contractor
On June 7, Sol Power was named the solar installation provider for the Solarize Charlestown campaign.

That selection was the culmination of a competitive RFP process which began with a large group of qualified providers, and finally with a very small group of highly qualified companies. According to the Solarize Team, any of the finalists would have been great choices for Charlestown. What really set Sol Power apart for the team was their strong connection to Charlestown. Tyler Mason, the company Vice President and head installer, is a resident of Charlestown. Also of importance to the review team was that Sol Power is employee owned. As owners, the work force has a stake in the company and a strong incentive to do good work. Sol Power also offered the most affordable price.

The average price per watt for solar panel installation in Rhode Island is $3.89, but Sol Power offered a shared price model in three tiers: Tier one was $3.14 per watt for one to 12 installations; tier two was $3.04 per watt for 13 to 25 installations; and tier three was $2.94 per watt for 25 or more installations.
Charlestown Permit Process to Add Solar to Your House is Fairly Simple
In Charlestown the process to permit solar panels for residential or small business use is fairly simple. Solar panels require a Building Permit for the structural portion and an Electrical Permit for the wiring. They are considered a part of the structure they are secured to or an accessory structure if detached.

If roof mounted, the Building Department needs verification that the existing roof is designed for the added loads. For an accessory panel system a site plan is required to verify the structure meets the setbacks. Both systems require a wiring schematic and certification that they are designed to meet the wind loads.

Sol Power will get all your permits for your solar project, but you can contact the Charlestown Building Department with any questions related to building permits if you like. Charlestown Building Department office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Telephone: 401-364-1215

Solarize is a program of the State of Rhode Island. CCA’s only role in this project is to provide communication resources to the Charlestown Solarize Team as we do with many other organizations and efforts in Charlestown.

Solarize Charlestown Updates