The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced the 2025 launch of the Renewable Energy Growth (REG) Program: Brownfield Remediation Solar Incentive, a new funding opportunity designed to accelerate responsible solar development on underutilized, previously impacted land. Authorized under R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-26.6-22 and approved by the Public Utilities Commission in 2025, the initiative provides $2.5 million in grant funding to support large-scale distributed-generation solar projects sited on qualifying brownfields.
By coupling site cleanup with renewable energy deployment, the incentive aims to deliver environmental, economic, and community benefits – turning contaminated or underused properties into productive clean-energy assets.
Program Overview
- Financial Adder: $140 per kilowatt (kW DC) of nameplate capacity.
- Eligible Project Sizes: Projects qualifying as Large Solar I or Large Solar II under the REG Program.
- DEM’s Role: As the state’s lead agency on site remediation, DEM verifies brownfield eligibility and issues required documentation to confirm that sites meet brownfield and remediation criteria.
Core Eligibility
Projects must:
- Be located on brownfields in need of remediation at the time of application.
- Still require remediation by the end of the calendar year in which the application is submitted.
- Obtain DEM brownfield site verification prior to applicable REG deadlines.
For broader REG program details and eligibility requirements, applicants should consult the Office of Energy Resources and Rhode Island Energy.
How to Request Brownfield Site Verification
- Complete the Brownfield Remediation Incentive Site Verification Form (available at the bottom of DEM’s program page).
- Email the completed form to DEM.BrownfieldSolar@dem.ri.gov with the subject line:
“Brownfield Remediation Incentive Site Verification Request.”
- Submit early to allow adequate processing time ahead of REG deadlines.
- DEM review timeline: A determination form will be returned within 30 calendar days. Approved verification forms may then be submitted to Rhode Island Energy as part of the full REG application package.
Final Eligibility Requirements (Post-Remediation)
To receive final eligibility for the adder, applicants must submit DEM-issued proof that the site has been remediated. Acceptable documentation includes any of the following:
- Letter of Compliance
- No Further Action Letter
- Interim Letter of Compliance
These documents must be provided to Rhode Island Energy to complete the application.
Key Dates & Submission Information
- Brownfield Site Verification: Rolling; submit requests to DEM.BrownfieldSolar@dem.ri.gov as early as possible to meet REG timelines.
- REG Application Windows/Deadlines: See Rhode Island Energy for current REG schedules and milestone dates.
Questions about site verification? Contact DEM’s Brownfields Program at DEM.BrownfieldSolar@dem.ri.gov.
