PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island plans to install solar carports, battery storage and electric vehicle charging stations in two parking lots on the state's Capitol Hill campus in Providence. The work will be paid for in part with a $4.5 million federal earmark secured by U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, the state Office of Energy Resources said Monday.

The energy office said it is matching the earmark with its own money. Construction is scheduled to begin toward the end of the first quarter of 2027. The systems must be running by late 2027 for the state to claim a federal clean electricity tax credit created under the Inflation Reduction Act.

The office said it has already made a 5% "safe harbor" expenditure toward qualifying for the credit. Subject to eligibility requirements, the projects are expected to qualify in 2028 for a credit equal to 30% to 40% of eligible project costs. The office estimated the credit's value to the state at between $3 million and $3.7 million.

The carports and equipment will go in the largest lot, behind the Department of Administration building, and in the lot next to the Department of Health. The office said that, together with rooftop solar systems it has already completed on the campus, they will give the campus about one megawatt of solar capacity.

Chris Kearns, the office's acting commissioner, said its Lead by Example program has more than 185 completed or ongoing energy projects with state agencies, municipalities and public schools, representing more than $48 million in investments. He called the carport effort one of the program's largest.

Reed said the project would help the state save money on fuel, maintenance and operating costs.

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