Energy (Solar) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 651: Requires BPU to designate solar portion of critical renewable microgrid as solar energy project under Community Solar Energy Program; requires Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to designate certain microgrids as assets of importance.

This bill (S 651) requires New Jersey’s Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a program designating solar energy systems connected to "critical renewable microgrids" (microgrids using renewable energy to support public safety during outages) as community solar projects. It allows these systems to qualify for solar incentives (SREC-IIs) at discounted rates for low- or moderate-income customers, with at least 75% of their energy output directed to these customers at prices 20% lower than standard community solar rates. The program limits annual solar capacity to 100 megawatts, permits larger systems (up to 20 megawatts for smaller projects), and requires systems to begin operations within 3-4 years of approval. Additionally, it directs the Office of Homeland Security to designate qualifying microgrids as "assets of importance," exempting their solar incentives from cost caps. The bill directly affects solar developers, low-income households, and critical infrastructure providers.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Energy Resilience Renewable Energy Solar

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 659: Provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for certain solar energy system expenditures.

S 659 provides a 35% tax credit for New Jersey taxpayers who install solar energy systems on their property, directly affecting residential homeowners, apartment building owners, and businesses. The credit covers 35% of qualified solar equipment costs (purchase, installation, or long-term leases), with annual limits of $5,000 for single-family homes, $350 per apartment unit, and $500,000 for commercial or industrial properties. Taxpayers must apply for certification from the Environmental Protection Commissioner, and unused credits can be carried forward for up to seven years. The total annual tax credit funding is capped at $25 million across all eligible properties.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits Solar

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 664: Establishes "Solar Roof Installation Warranty Program" in EDA and transfers $2 million from societal benefits charge to initially fund program.

This bill creates a "Solar Roof Installation Warranty Program" within New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA). It directly affects businesses installing solar energy systems in commercial or industrial buildings by providing the EDA with authority to guarantee up to 90% of loans for these installations. The program is initially funded by transferring $2 million from the state's societal benefits charge. The EDA will administer the warranty program to support solar roof projects, with the funding mechanism and loan guarantee structure specified in the amended statute.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Solar

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1237: 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 small-scale power systems (like rooftop solar) can reduce the duration of extended power outages. The BPU must compare New Jersey's grid performance to other states, assess real-world microgrid impacts during outages, consult with utilities and experts, and evaluate costs for ratepayers and the state. The study requires the BPU to submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within nine months. It does not change existing laws or fund new projects - it solely mandates a data-gathering study to inform future energy resilience decisions.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Energy Resilience Solar

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 2, 2026

S 688: Requires Commissioner of Community Affairs to amend or supplement State Uniform Construction Code concerning use of balcony solar panel systems.

This bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Community Affairs to create safety guidelines for installing small balcony solar panel systems (defined as plug-in devices under 1,500 square inches that don't connect to the power grid). The guidelines will cover wiring modifications for both U.S.-designed systems and systems imported from other countries that need adaptation. These rules will be added to the State Uniform Construction Code to ensure safe home installations. The bill directly affects homeowners and renters in New Jersey who wish to use commercially available balcony solar panels.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Electric Vehicles Solar

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 625: Establishes limits on zoning restrictions for certain electric battery storage equipment installation.

This bill, S 625, streamlines zoning approvals for small electric battery storage equipment in New Jersey. It directly affects homeowners (allowing residential installations as a permitted accessory use without special permits) and businesses (exempting commercial/industrial installations from site plan reviews or variances). Key provisions require municipalities to approve qualifying applications within 20 days if complete, mandate compliance with existing safety codes, and direct the state to publish a model ordinance for installation standards. The bill removes local barriers to battery storage deployment while maintaining safety requirements and allowing municipalities to adopt reasonable, non-review-based standards.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Storage Solar

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 8, 2026

S 631: Requires BPU to establish distributed energy storage incentive program.*

S 631 creates a pilot program offering financial incentives to New Jersey residents and businesses for installing energy storage systems, like batteries or solar-plus-storage setups. It provides two types of support: a one-time upfront payment to cover installation costs based on storage capacity (kWh), and recurring performance payments to compensate owners for grid benefits like stabilizing electricity supply. The program prioritizes low-income households and communities designated as "overburdened" by reserving at least one-third of upfront incentives for them. Eligible systems must be new (operational after the program starts) and either customer-owned (behind the meter) or utility-owned (in front of the meter). The Board of Public Utilities will design the program within 90 days of the bill’s effective date.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Energy Storage Solar

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1201: Establishes green infrastructure financing program.

S 1201 establishes a state-administered program to provide low-cost financing for green infrastructure equipment, such as solar panels or energy-efficient upgrades, directly benefiting New Jersey's electric and gas utility customers - especially those who cannot afford large upfront costs. The program allows customers to pay for installations through small, recurring fees added to their monthly utility bills instead of making a large initial payment. Funds from these repayments will be recycled to finance additional installations, aiming to make clean energy more accessible while supporting the state's renewable energy goals. This program targets underserved customers and coordinates with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and the Board of Public Utilities to manage financing.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 714: Requires certain large developments, to be used as retail facility or warehouse, to be designed and constructed to accommodate load associated with solar panels.

This bill requires new retail facilities and warehouses larger than 75,000 square feet to be designed with roofs capable of supporting solar panels. Specifically, the roof structure must accommodate the weight of solar systems covering at least 40% of the roof area (minus certain features like skylights), regardless of panel type or weather conditions. It applies to buildings where construction permits were not finalized before the bill's effective date, and mandates the Department of Community Affairs to establish detailed design standards. The law aims to make future solar installations on large commercial buildings more feasible and cost-effective.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Solar

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 654: Establishes conditions for net metering for authorized food waste recycling facilities.

This bill requires electric power suppliers to offer net metering to authorized food waste recycling facilities for electricity they generate using Class I renewable energy. It directly affects facilities defined as Class C recycling centers authorized to handle food waste under state law. Key provisions include crediting facilities for excess electricity generated (with annual rollover), and offering two compensation options: payment for remaining credits or real-time billing at a set rate ($0.03/kWh above residential tariff). The bill clarifies these facilities won't be considered public utilities when selling excess power to end-use customers within their service area.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Renewable Energy Solar Recycling Waste Management

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