H 7182Renewable Energy

Towns and Cities - Zoning Ordinances

Bans large solar projects on forests and farms, restricting them to developed areas like rooftops and parking lots.

Held for study

Population
Affected

Introduced Jan 21, 2026Committee House Corporations

Plain-English Summary

This legislation amends Rhode Island zoning laws to strictly regulate where large-scale (utility-scale) solar energy projects can be built. It prohibits the construction of these solar projects on forested land, farmland, undeveloped property larger than one acre, and other rural areas. Instead, it mandates that such projects must be located on developed properties, such as rooftops, parking lots, or commercial sites, or within urban residential areas. The bill defines utility-scale projects as those producing 10 megawatts or more, or those selling electricity under specific net metering laws.

For younger readers

This law changes where big solar power plants can be built. Solar panels are used to turn sunlight into electricity. The law says that giant groups of these panels cannot be put on farms to grow food, in forests with trees, or on big pieces of empty land. Instead, they must be built on places that people have already built on, like on top of big roofs or in parking lots. This is to make sure we don't cut down trees or use up farm space just to make electricity.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Solar Energy DevelopersFarmersRural LandownersEnvironmental ConservationistsCommercial Property Owners

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Protects forests and open spaces from clear-cutting, preserving vital carbon sinks and biodiversity that are crucial for environmental health.
Safeguards local food systems by preventing the conversion of productive farmland into industrial energy generation sites.
Encourages "smart growth" by directing development toward already-developed areas like parking lots and rooftops, rather than contributing to rural sprawl.
Slows the transition to renewable energy by severely limiting the available land for solar development, potentially hindering climate change goals.
Likely increases the cost of solar energy, as building on rooftops and parking canopies is significantly more expensive than ground-mounted systems on open land.
Deprives struggling farmers of a potential revenue stream (leasing land for solar) that could help keep them in business.

For Conservatives

Preserves the traditional aesthetic and rural character of communities by preventing the industrialization of the countryside with large solar arrays.
Protects the state's agricultural heritage and ensures land remains available for traditional farming practices.
Prevents potential negative impacts on neighboring property values that can occur when industrial-scale facilities are built in residential or rural zones.
Infringes on private property rights by telling landowners they cannot use their own land for a profitable, legal enterprise.
Represents heavy-handed government interference in the energy market, picking winners and losers regarding where infrastructure can be built.
Reduces economic freedom for farmers and rural landowners who wish to lease their land to energy companies to support their income.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 12 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 45-24 of the General Laws entitled "Zoning Ordinances" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 45-24-46.6. Utility scale solar energy projects.

(a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the development of utility scale solar projects shall be limited to projects where the free-standing solar energy structure is on property where the structure is providing energy to an urban area of residential properties, a commercial property or otherwise occupying other developed accessory portions of a residential or commercial property to include, but not be limited to, roof tops, parking lots and developed property.

(b) Forested land, farmland, undeveloped property consisting of one acre or more and other rural areas of land shall not be utilized for utility scale solar projects.

(c) For purposes of this section "a utility scale solar project" means a project that produces ten megawatts (10 MW) or more of energy, or produces electricity for sale pursuant to the provisions of chapter 26.4 of title 39.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.