Trenton, NJ — The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) today announced the selection of 105 new projects for Year Two of the state’s Community Solar Pilot Program, totaling 165 MW of generation. The announcement follows decisions from BPU earlier this month to transition the Community Solar Pilot Program to a permanent program at the end of Year Two and to allocate a total of 1125 MW of community solar capacity through 2026. Following is a statement from Leslie Elder, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director for Coalition for Community Solar Access:
“BPU is to be commended for working hard to meet the previously stated timeline for new project announcements. As noted by the Commission, regulatory certainty is the cornerstone of establishing a community solar market that will achieve the goals for clean energy, spur economic development, and serve low-and-moderate consumers. We are thrilled that today’s announcement paves the way for new community solar projects to deliver clean, renewable energy that helps consumers save money and broadens access to the clean energy revolution taking place in the Garden State. Industry stands ready to invest millions of dollars in these projects, which will also create jobs and improve the resiliency and security of the state’s energy grid.
We look forward to working closely with NJBPU on the development of a permanent Community Solar Program that will maximize ongoing grid modernization efforts, improve billing transparency for consumers and determine the parameters of the newly-established dual-use solar program. We appreciate the dedicated efforts of the agency to advance a truly transformational energy program that will benefit thousands of New Jerseyans for generations to come.”