Energy (Solar) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 19, 2026

S 3958: Excludes biomass, solar, and wind energy systems located on rooftops, unpreserved farmland, or exception areas from certain size restrictions applicable to preserved farmland.

This bill allows owners of preserved farmland in New Jersey to install biomass, solar, and wind energy systems on rooftops, unpreserved farmland, or exception areas without being subject to certain size restrictions that apply to preserved farmland. The legislation permits these energy systems provided they do not significantly interfere with agricultural use, are owned by the landowner, and are used to power the farm or reduce energy costs through net metering. Energy generation capacity is limited to either the farm's previous year's energy demand plus 10 percent or one percent of the total farm area, with exceptions for rooftop and unpreserved land installations. Landowners must obtain committee approval before construction, and the committee must notify easement holders and make decisions within 90 days without charging fees.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Solar Wind

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2819: Requires BPU to provide funding for purchase and installation of photovoltaic technologies for age-restricted community clubhouse facilities from societal benefits charge.

This bill directs the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to use funds from the societal benefits charge to pay for the purchase and installation of solar panel systems in age-restricted community clubhouses. The legislation primarily affects senior housing communities and the state utility board by establishing a specific funding source for renewable energy upgrades in these facilities. By defining age-restricted communities according to federal housing standards, the bill ensures that only qualifying senior housing projects receive this financial assistance. The measure does not impose new costs on residents or utilities but allocates existing regulatory funds toward energy efficiency improvements in designated senior living areas.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Solar Tags Seniors

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 3665: Requires BPU to provide funding for purchase and installation of photovoltaic technologies for age-restricted community clubhouse facilities from societal benefits charge.

S 3665 requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to fund the purchase and installation of solar panels at clubhouse facilities in age-restricted communities using money from the societal benefits charge. The bill defines "age-restricted community" as housing meeting federal standards for "housing for older persons." This provision directs existing utility customer fees - collected to support energy assistance programs - toward covering solar equipment costs at these specific clubhouses. It does not create new fees but reallocates a portion of an existing charge to support solar installations for older residents' community facilities.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Solar

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 12, 2026

A 4063: Provides CBT credit for construction or retrofitting of warehouse to meet certain green building standards.

This bill provides a 25% tax credit against New Jersey's Corporation Business Tax for businesses constructing new warehouses or retrofitting existing ones to meet specific green building standards. It directly affects commercial property owners and developers who build or upgrade warehouses to achieve at least a LEED Silver, Green Globes Two-Globe, or equivalent nationally recognized sustainability rating. Eligible costs include construction, engineering, and site work (excluding land, computers, or fuel cells), with credit eligibility requiring certification from a licensed engineer/architect and a certificate of occupancy. The credit applies to projects meeting the bill's defined "green warehouse" standards, which must be solar-ready and designed for renewable energy integration. The Department of Community Affairs must issue an eligibility certificate verifying compliance before the tax credit can be claimed.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Renewable Energy Solar

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1037: Allows utility lines necessary for certain solar energy generation facilities to cross municipally-owned preserved open space under certain circumstances.

New Jersey bill A-1037 allows utility lines for approved solar energy facilities to cross municipally-owned preserved open space (like parks or conservation areas funded by Green Acres programs) under strict conditions. It requires lines to be underground, not interfere with land use, and be approved by the local government after developers prove no alternative routes exist. Solar developers must also compensate landowners and provide documentation showing compliance with the bill’s requirements. This directly affects solar project developers, local municipalities managing preserved land, and the Board of Public Utilities overseeing solar approvals. The bill aims to support solar infrastructure development while protecting designated conservation areas.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Solar Conservation

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 3974: Modifies various provisions of State's renewable energy incentive programs; requires electric public utilities to consider interconnection applications for certain solar projects.*

This bill (A 3974) modifies New Jersey's renewable energy incentive programs to support solar development on specific land types. It allows multiple solar projects to co-locate on the same or adjacent properties without size restrictions, removes power output limits for projects on landfills, brownfields, contaminated sites, or mining sites, and requires projects on these sites to achieve commercial operation within 33 months (with automatic extensions for utility delays). Electric utilities must process interconnection applications for community solar and remote net metering projects within 90 days and complete interconnection within 30 days, facing $5,000 daily penalties for delays. These changes directly affect solar developers, utilities, and participants in New Jersey's community solar and remote net metering programs.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Transmission

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 597: Establishes "Neighborhood Solar Energy Investment Program."

This bill establishes renewable energy portfolio standards requiring electric power suppliers and basic generation service providers in New Jersey to source increasing percentages of electricity from renewable sources. Specifically, it mandates 2.5% from Class II renewables (like biomass) and requires Class I renewables (including solar, wind, and hydro) to reach 21% by 2020, 35% by 2025, and 50% by 2030. The bill also requires suppliers to disclose fuel mix and emissions data on customer bills and caps customer costs for Class I renewable requirements at 9% of electricity costs through 2021, then 7% annually after. These requirements apply directly to energy suppliers and indirectly affect all electricity customers in the state. (Note: The bill’s title references a "Neighborhood Solar Energy Investment Program," but the actual provisions focus on broader renewable portfolio standards and disclosure rules, not a specific solar program.)

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2556: Requires certain green building initiatives in plans for development or redevelopment of affordable housing planned for construction or substantial renovation.

This bill requires developers of certain affordable housing projects to meet specific green building standards. It applies to new inclusionary affordable housing developments and existing units undergoing major renovations, mandating compliance with Energy Star standards for construction and renovation. Key provisions include using LED lighting with occupancy sensors, requiring Energy Star-rated appliances, incorporating solar facilities where feasible (with a formal exemption process), and implementing features like EV charging stations and native landscaping. Developers must also test soil for contamination before new construction on inclusionary housing sites. These requirements aim to reduce energy use and environmental impact in affordable housing developments.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Solar Affordable Housing Building Codes Property Development

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1032: Directs BPU to conduct study to determine whether microgrid and distributed energy resource deployment will reduce length of power outages.

This bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to study whether microgrids and distributed energy resources (like localized solar or battery systems) can reduce the duration of long-term power outages. The study requires the BPU to compare New Jersey's grid performance with other states, assess real-world microgrid impacts, consult with utilities and communities that have used such systems, and evaluate costs for ratepayers and the state. The BPU must submit a report with findings and recommendations within nine months, including an analysis of existing microgrid pilot programs. This study does not implement new policies but provides data to inform future grid resilience efforts.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Energy Resilience Solar

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3629: The "New Jersey Town Center Microgrid Pilot Program Act."

S 3629 creates a pilot program allowing eligible New Jersey municipalities (called "pilot agencies") to develop microgrids that provide backup power to critical facilities like hospitals or emergency centers during outages. The bill enables these municipalities to partner with developers through 20-year power purchase agreements, subject to approval by the Division of Local Government Services and the Board of Public Utilities. Key provisions include requiring microgrids to use non-diesel distributed energy resources (like solar or storage) and ensuring the systems can operate independently from the main grid. This directly affects participating municipalities and the critical facilities they serve by improving local power resilience.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Resilience Solar

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