RESNE (Renewable Energy Services of New England)

RESNE (Renewable Energy Services of New England) has built a distinctive reputation in Rhode Island since its founding in 2015 with a simple but powerful premise: solar panels don't have to be an eyesore. Their tagline — "Solar does not need to be ugly!" — isn't just marketing copy. It reflects a genuine installation philosophy that sets RESNE apart from larger installers who treat solar as a purely functional upgrade.

Based in Cranston and led by co-founder Paul Morgan, who brings more than 25 years of electrical contracting experience, RESNE takes extra care to hide all electrical wiring inside the interior walls of your home, with inverters and combiner panels tucked away in the basement or garage rather than mounted visibly on exterior walls. For homeowners in Rhode Island's historic neighborhoods — Providence's East Side Victorians, Newport's colonial-era homes, or the Cape-style houses dotting South County — this attention to aesthetics is a meaningful differentiator. After 500+ completed installations, RESNE has developed the expertise to make solar work visually on almost any New England home style.

It's important to note what RESNE is not: this is a solar-only company that does not perform roofing work. Homeowners who need a combined roof replacement and solar installation will need to either hire a separate roofing contractor or choose one of the integrated bundle providers reviewed on this site. RESNE's focus is entirely on solar — and within that focus, they deliver a quality product backed by a 10-year workmanship warranty, premium panel brands including Qcells and Solaria, and licensing credentials including a Master Electrical License (A-003793) and RI Renewable Energy Professional certification (REP #127).

Solar-Only Provider — Not a Bundle Installer

RESNE is a specialized solar installation company; they do not offer integrated roof+solar bundles. If your roof needs replacement, you would handle that project separately with a roofing contractor before or after RESNE installs your solar system. This is a meaningful distinction for homeowners comparing RESNE to bundle providers like Evergreen Solar or Sunfinity Power.

Solar System Components

RESNE installs premium residential and commercial solar PV systems using quality panel brands that vary by project availability and customer specifications — including Qcells, Solaria, and LG panels. For inverter technology, RESNE offers both Enphase microinverter systems (which optimize each panel independently) and SolarEdge string inverter systems with power optimizers. Both options are well-suited to New England's variable sun conditions and tree-shading situations common on older Rhode Island properties.

The Aesthetic Installation Difference

RESNE's signature installation approach distinguishes them from most solar companies: all electrical conduit and wiring runs inside the walls of your home rather than along the exterior. Inverters, combiner panels, and monitoring equipment are installed in your basement or garage — out of sight entirely. The result is a rooftop array that looks clean and intentional rather than tacked-on. For homeowners in historic districts or with HOA aesthetic requirements, this approach can make the difference between a solar project that's approved and one that isn't.

Beyond Standard Rooftop Solar

RESNE also installs solar shade structures — custom carports, pavilions, and three-season rooms that generate solar power while serving a functional purpose. Ground-mounted systems are available for properties with shading or roof access challenges. Battery storage, solar generators, and EV charger installation round out their service portfolio for homeowners seeking a comprehensive energy upgrade.

Rhode Island Solar Incentives

Rhode Island offers some of the most generous solar incentives in New England, and RESNE helps customers navigate all of them. The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) provides a 30% tax credit on the full system cost through 2032 — for an average $20,000 system, that's $6,000 back on your federal taxes. Rhode Island's Renewable Energy Growth (REG) program pays performance-based incentives for every kilowatt-hour your system produces over 15–20 years, essentially guaranteed revenue on top of your energy savings. The state's Net Metering program credits you at the retail rate for excess solar energy exported to the grid.

Rhode Island also offers Renewable Energy Fund grants for residential installations, which can cover 10–25% of installation costs depending on system size and program availability. Combining the federal ITC with state grants and REG program payments can substantially reduce your effective out-of-pocket cost.

Financing Options

RESNE offers a Solar Loan Program designed around ownership: you pay $0 down, receive fixed monthly payments for 12 years, and own the system outright from day one. Unlike solar leases or power purchase agreements (PPAs), ownership means you capture the full value of the federal tax credit and any state incentives. After your loan is paid off, your solar energy is essentially free for the remaining 15+ years of panel life. RESNE also partners with Westerly Community Credit Union for local financing options.

RESNE does not offer solar leases or PPAs — their financing structure is built around helping Rhode Island homeowners become true solar system owners, maximizing long-term financial returns over the convenience of short-term $0 monthly payments that come with lease arrangements.

Installation Costs

Residential solar installations in Rhode Island typically start around $15,000–$20,000 before incentives for average-sized homes. After the 30% federal ITC and available Rhode Island grants, net costs for many homeowners fall in the $10,000–$14,000 range. RESNE provides free consultations and custom quotes based on your home's energy usage, roof orientation, and shading conditions.