Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way |
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For Immediate Release: | Contact: Bailey Lawrence |
Date: 10/23/2024 | 609-940-1099 |
“In the Garden State, we are pursuing one of the most transformational plans in the nation to move away from fossil fuels, reduce emissions, and deliver a green economy for all New Jerseyans to enjoy,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Today’s announcement represents just one of many innovative approaches we are taking to introduce renewable energy into all corners of our state. With the Dual-Use Agrivoltaics Pilot Program, we are advancing our solar energy goals and creating a powerful new tool to create revenue streams for our vibrant agricultural community while promoting farmland preservation.”
“The Board’s action today marks a major milestone and further solidifies New Jersey as a national leader in solar development,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. "Dual-use agrivoltaics will ensure responsible solar development on farmland and help us provide affordable solar alternatives to more New Jersey residents.”
President Guhl-Sadovy said the program represents a crucial step in efforts to counter the adverse effects of climate change, as clean energy solutions like solar power play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reaching 100% clean electricity by 2035.
“We look forward to the information this Dual-Use Pilot will provide,” said Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. “This program will allow us to research and inform best practices for solar development in agricultural areas to ensure successful crop production while reaping the benefits of additional clean energy.”
“Agricultural voltaics or dual-use solar offer New Jersey farmers the opportunity for improved agriculture viability," said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn. "The pilot program will give the agriculture community the opportunity to identify the best production techniques and crops to grow and produce, while at the same time producing clean green renewable energy."
“I want to commend the Board of Public Utilities for creating the Dual-Use Agrivoltaics Pilot Program,” said Senator Bob Smith. “This program is a win-win for New Jersey, for farmers, solar energy and the environment. I hope the Legislature can be helpful in providing stimulus to get farming where it should be on solar energy. New Jersey farmers, in addition to being farmers, are now environmental warriors.”
Public input was critical to the development of the Dual-Use Pilot. Over the last year, the NJBPU held a robust stakeholder process to develop the Dual-Use Pilot in collaboration with the state Departments of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, and Rutgers University. The NJBPU released the preliminary draft rules for public comment in June followed by the straw proposal, which was published last November.
The Dual-Use Pilot will facilitate the installation and operation of up to 200 megawatts of solar over three years. It will generate research results needed to inform a permanent program that may include standards for construction and operation for these types of projects through the Board’s grant agreement with the Rutgers Agrivoltaics Program (RAP) to facilitate and implement the Dual-Use Pilot. A major part of evaluating potential projects includes RAP providing expertise for setting research requirements, construction best practices, project monitoring, and evaluation.
Under the Board’s approval to launch the Dual-Use Pilot Program, Staff will issue a Notice of Incentive Availability (“NOIA”) in January next year, inviting interested parties to submit expressions of interest for pre-qualification into the Dual-Use Pilot.
The NJBPU Solar program is a nation-leading program with over 205,000 solar installations and a total capacity of 4.9 GW since the NJBPU’s incentive programs started in 2000 (that total rises to 6.2 total GW when accounting for projects in the pipeline). In 2023, the State saw its highest number of solar applications processed in a given year (22,330), the highest number of residential installations in 10 years (192 MW), and record growth in community solar (81 projects, 97 MW). In 2024, the Board made awards to more than 300 MW of solar projects in its Competitive Solar Incentive (CSI) Program, the cheapest solar ever incentivized in the state.
Updates on the Pilot Program will be available on the New Jersey Clean Energy Program’s (“NJCEP’s”) website, in addition to the Board’s website. Interested parties are encouraged to sign up for listservs provided by the Board and the NJCEP by visiting https://www.njcleanenergy.com/stakeholdergroups and https://www.nj.gov/bpu/about/contact/subscribe.html, respectively.
About New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program (NJCEP)
NJCEP, established on January 22, 2003, in accordance with the Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act (EDECA), provides financial and other incentives to the State's residential customers, businesses and schools that install high-efficiency or renewable energy technologies, thereby reducing energy usage, lowering customers' energy bills and reducing environmental impacts. The program is authorized and overseen by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), and its website is www.NJCleanEnergy.com.
About the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU)
NJBPU is a state agency and regulatory authority mandated to ensure safe, adequate and proper utility services at reasonable rates for New Jersey customers. Critical services regulated by NJBPU include natural gas, electricity, water, wastewater, telecommunications and cable television. The Board has general oversight and responsibility for monitoring utility service, responding to consumer complaints, and investigating utility accidents. To find out more about NJBPU, visit our website at www.nj.gov/bpu.