Nathan Healy
Certified by Nathan Healy
Updated: June 2026
Quality Solar Panels Since 2011
Palmetto has served 20,000+ customers across 31 states with an approval rating over 85%.
About Nathan Healy

Nathan Healy is a Vice President at Palmetto, where he helps homeowners cut through the confusion around solar and figure out whether it actually pencils out for their home, roof, and budget. With energy prices climbing and the federal incentive landscape shifting, his focus is simple: give people a straight, honest answer instead of a sales pitch.

He reviews Palmetto’s local solar guides so the costs, incentives, and utility details on this page reflect what’s really happening in your area.
He believes in solar so much, that he had Palmetto install solar on his own parents’ house, the home he grew up in.

01

Solar Power in Cranston

If you live in Cranston, you’ve likely noticed your electric bill climbing. With Rhode Island residential electricity rates at 28.07 cents per kWh—the 5th highest in the nation—many local homeowners are exploring solar as a way to take control of their energy costs.

Whether you’re just curious or ready to make a change, this guide will help you understand how solar installation works here in Cranston. Learn more about home solar panels and what to expect every step of the way.

RHODE ISLAND by the Numbers

34th Most residential solar in the United States
14 Households have installed solar panels
4.7 Avg peak sun hours per day
~$98k Cranston average savings over 25 years
02

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Cranston, RI?

See real solar installation costs for Cranston, RI—built from our actual local installations. From Edgewood and Meshanticut to Oaklawn and Pontiac, this calculator uses firsthand data from your community to give you a clear, honest estimate. Explore your numbers below and understand what solar could look like for your home.

Small Home Up to 2,000 sq ft
Medium Home 2,000-3,000 sq ft
Large Home Over 3,000 sq ft
System Size
This system size is designed to offset approximately 100% of the average electricity usage for a home of this size in Rhode Island.
Recommended
System
7.38 kW
Your Monthly Payment
Estimated monthly cost with LightReach
$117/mo
As low as
$117/mo
Why Lease Solar?
Following the 2025 Big Beautiful Bill, the federal 30% solar tax credit is no longer available for cash purchases. With a LightReach lease, Palmetto owns the system and still qualifies for the commercial ITC — passing those savings through to you via lower monthly payments.
  • No upfront investment
  • Palmetto handles all maintenance
  • 90% Production Guarantee
  • Comprehensive protection program included
03

Palmetto Reviews

04

Key Takeaways

  • Cranston homeowners pay 28.1¢ per kWh—among the nation’s highest rates—making solar an appealing way to gain more control over rising energy costs.
  • A typical Cranston home can save around $98,000 over 25 years with solar, based on real installation data from your local community.
  • Leasing through LightReach means no upfront cost—Palmetto owns and maintains the system while passing savings to you through low monthly payments.
05

Cranston Electricity Prices

If you live in Cranston, you’ve probably watched your electric bill keep climbing. Here’s what’s behind those rising costs.

Rhode Island electricity rates hit 28.1 cents per kWh in 2024. That’s well above the national average of 16.5 cents. Local rates have jumped steadily since 2021, when they sat at 22.3 cents.

Solar panel installation gives Cranston homeowners a way to generate their own power. By making energy at home, you rely less on the grid and gain more predictability over your monthly costs. Explore home solar panels to learn how.

Over time, a solar installation can help protect you from ongoing rate increases. As utility prices rise, the electricity your panels produce keeps its value—offering long-term stability for your household budget.

Price of Energy: Rhode Island vs National Average

10¢
20¢
30¢
40¢
13.7¢
22.3¢
15.0¢
23.2¢
16.0¢
27.0¢
16.5¢
28.1¢
2021
2022
2023
2024
US Average
Rhode Island

Cranston Area Utility Providers

If you live in Cranston, you’ve likely noticed your electric bill climbing. As of 2023, Rhode Island Energy charged about 27.20¢ per kWh—well above the national average of 16.0¢.

Why so high? New England relies heavily on natural gas for power, and limited pipeline capacity drives up costs. Rhode Island Energy’s 2023 rate closely matched the state average of 27.00¢ per kWh.

Because grid prices tend to shift with fuel costs, many Cranston homeowners explore solar to generate their own power. Learn more about home solar panels and how they work here.

Cranston Utilities Electricity Rates

Rhode Island Energy
27.20¢
+70%
RI Average
27.00¢
+69%
US Average
16.0¢
06

Rhode Island Solar Incentives

Cranston homeowners can look beyond upfront costs. Explore the current solar incentives in Rhode Island that may help make going solar more affordable.

Incentives can take several forms, including net metering, property tax exemptions, and utility programs. Our provided data shows no state-specific incentives at this time, so availability may vary and change over time.

With the federal residential tax credit gone, state and local programs still matter. Leasing through LightReach simplifies things—Palmetto handles the commercial ITC and passes savings along through lower monthly payments.

Ready to start saving with solar?

Speak with a Palmetto solar expert to find out exactly how much you can save with Rhode Island incentives.

Get a Free Quote
07

Cranston Solar Irradiance

Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.

Cranston enjoys four distinct seasons, with long summer days boosting production and snowy winters reflecting extra light. Despite New England’s cloudy reputation, a well-designed system produces reliable solar energy here year-round.

Solar Production in Cranston by Month

Daylight Hours
Energy Production (kWh/day)

What Can Your Solar System Power?

Summer Production (July)

[SummerProduction] kWh/day

In July, your 10 kW system could power:

  • 3.6 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
  • or Run central AC for 18 hours AND power all other appliances
  • or Fully charge 5.4 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles

Winter Production (December)

[WinterProduction] kWh/day

In December, your 10 kW system could power:

  • 2 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
  • or Keep your home heating system running for 15 hours
  • or Fully charge 3 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles

Annual Production

[AnnualProduction] kWh/year

Over a year, your 10 kW system could:

  • Offset 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
  • or Equal the environmental benefit of planting 175 trees
  • or Save approximately $4,234 in electricity costs

Want to know exactly how much solar can power your home?

Get a personalized solar analysis based on your actual home, energy usage, and roof characteristics.

Get My Custom Estimate
08

Solar Panel Systems in Cranston

We’ve mapped solar installations across the country, right down to the neighborhood level. Explore this interactive map of Cranston, RI to see how many of your neighbors have made the switch to solar. Click any hexagon to discover the number of installations in that community.

09

Leasing Solar Panels

In Cranston, homeowners served by Rhode Island Energy (formerly National Grid) can go solar through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with LightReach. Instead of a fixed monthly bill, a PPA lets you pay a set price per kilowatt-hour for the clean energy your panels produce. You may notice slightly higher payments in sunny summer months and lower ones in winter, but savings even out across the year.

The big advantage over paying cash is simplicity. There’s no upfront investment to recoup, and Palmetto owns and maintains the system for you—so repairs and monitoring aren’t your responsibility. As soon as your panels turn on, your savings begin.

To compare your options, explore whether it’s better to buy or lease and learn more about LightReach.

Go solar without the investment

With LightReach, there are no investment costs to recoup, loan payments to manage, or maintenance needs to take on. As soon as your panels are active, your solar savings are too!

Explore LightReach Leasing
10

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Cranston homeowners served by Rhode Island Energy (formerly National Grid) have access to 1:1 net metering. Each month, the solar energy your panels send to the grid is credited against your total usage at nearly the full retail rate.

Any extra credits roll over month to month as a dollar credit. As of February 2024, you can also request a cash-out at the Last Resort Service rate or transfer credits to another account you own.

Yes. When you own or purchase your solar panels, they can raise your Cranston home’s value. A Zillow study found homes with solar sold for about 4.1% more than comparable homes without it.

This added value applies to owned systems, not leased ones. With a leased or TPO system, resale works differently, since the buyer may need to assume the existing lease agreement rather than gaining ownership of the panels outright.

In Cranston, many homeowners go solar with a LightReach lease, starting around $117 per month with no upfront cost. Palmetto owns and maintains the system, so you simply enjoy the savings.

You can also buy your system with cash, with prices typically starting near $23,888 for an average home. Note that the federal 30% tax credit is no longer available for residential cash purchases following the 2025 federal law change. See the calculator above for pricing specific to your home size.

With a solar lease through LightReach, Palmetto owns and maintains the system while you make one simple monthly payment. In Cranston, RI, a typical 7.38 kW system runs about $117 per month, and there’s no upfront cost to you.

That payment covers the panels, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and a 90% Production Guarantee. Because Palmetto claims the federal ITC and passes savings along, your monthly payment stays low—often less than your current electric bill, so you can start saving right away.

Solar panels are low maintenance. In Cranston’s climate, they generally need little more than occasional cleaning, since rain and snow help keep them clear throughout the year.

If you go solar through LightReach, Palmetto owns the system and handles all maintenance, monitoring, and repairs at no extra cost. This also includes a 90% Production Guarantee, so you can feel confident your system keeps performing.

Yes. Cranston averages about 4.7 peak sun hours per day, and solar panels perform well across all four New England seasons. Long summer days deliver the highest output, while shorter, cloudier winter days produce less—yet panels still generate power even in overcast conditions.

Production naturally varies month to month, but a well-designed system delivers reliable energy year-round. Snow can briefly reduce output, though reflected light and steep roof angles often help panels stay productive.

At Palmetto, we combine national expertise with a local focus here in Cranston. Since 2020, we’ve completed 911 installations across Rhode Island, backed by strong reviews from neighbors in nearby Warwick, Cumberland, and Narragansett.

We offer some of the industry’s best financing options, including LightReach leasing with no upfront cost, along with a trusted installation network. The right company for you is one that clearly explains your options and supports your home for the long term.