870 R.I. Code R. 870-RICR-20-00-1.3

Current through December 3, 2024

Section 870-RICR-20-00-1.3 - Key Definitions

A. For the purposes of these regulations, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

1. "Add-on systems" means adding solar panels to an existing solar photovoltaic or solar hot water system.

2. "Affordable housing" means any affordable housing or low and moderate income housing as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws Chapters 42-128 or 45-53, or such other superseding statutes as may be implemented by the State of Rhode Island from time to time.

3. "Brownfield" means a property with which the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.

4. "Clean energy" means the renewable energy resources defined in R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 39-26.

5. "Clean energy internship program" means the internship program created in partnership with RICC and the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources that matches interns with clean energy companies and provides reimbursement to the company for the period of the internship.

6. "Community renewables" or "Community solar" or "Community remote net metering system" means a facility, owned by the primary electrical account holder or a third party, generating electricity using an eligible net-metering resource which allocates net metering credits to a minimum of one eligible credit recipient account for systems associated with low or moderate income housing, or three (3) eligible credit recipient accounts for other systems.

7. "Corporation" and "RICC" mean the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation or any successor corporation or new corporation empowered to perform the functions currently served by the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation.

8. "Department of Environmental Management" or "DEM" means the entity established in the executive branch of State government pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-17.1-1;

9. "Early stage commercialization" means an innovative renewable energy technology or innovative business model with the ability to transform the renewable energy business sector. Technologies have completed or have nearly completed early research stages.

10. "Emerging technology" means new technologies in renewable energy that will come to market within the next two (2) - five (5) years which have the ability to transform the renewable energy business sector.

11. "Innovative business model" means a novel business structure with the ability to help commercialize an emerging or existing renewable energy technology.

12. "Internship period" means the Spring, Summer, or Fall semester months of the Clean Energy Internship program.

13. "Microgrid" means a local energy grid with control capability allowing it to disconnect from the traditional grid and operate autonomously.

14. "Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources" or "OER" means the office created and established pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-140-2.

15. "One-line electrical drawing" means a diagram showing the number of photovoltaic panels with voltage and kilowatt output, all disconnects, all combiners, all inverters with input and output ratings, the size of the main electrical panel bussing in amperes, the size of the main service disconnect, the size of the PV circuit breaker in amperes, size and type of all raceways and the size and type of all conductors.

16. "Pre-development feasibility study" means the completion of project tasks prior to construction of a renewable energy project. These tasks shall not include initial feasibility assessments. Pre-development activities occur after a project is deemed worthy of development and before construction takes place. Examples of Pre-Development Activities include but are not limited to:

a. Local and State Permitting.

b. Structural and Electrical Engineering.

c. National Grid Interconnection Studies.

d. National Grid Impact Studies.

e. Detailed Financial Analyses.

f. Request for Proposal (RFP) Preparations.

17. "Renewable energy fund" and "REF" means the Renewable Energy Development Fund.

18. "R.I. Gen. Laws" means the Rhode Island General Laws.

19. "ROI" means Return on Investment.

20. "Solar plus storage" means solar photovoltaic plus battery storage.

21. "Solar water heaters or solar domestic hot water" or "SDHW" means a system that includes storage tanks and solar collectors, while using the sun's thermal energy to heat water.

22. "Training" means providing additional skills, knowledge, or experience to clean energy workers.

23. "Workforce development" means activities related to providing training and career development opportunities to facilitate clean energy job growth and support a more qualified clean energy workforce.

870 R.I. Code R. 870-RICR-20-00-1.3

Amended effective 2/21/2019