Beginning on July 1, 2022, all new warehouses developed in New Jersey must be solar-ready. This means that all warehouses constructed in New Jersey on/after July 1, 2022, are required to include a building design which is optimized for solar. This new legislation came into effect in November 2021, when Governor Phil Murphy signed Assembly Bill A3352 into law. Earlier that year, in June, the bill passed through the New Jersey legislature with margins of 46-24 in the Assembly and 25-13 in the Senate.
New Jersey Solar Warehouses FAQ
Below we have answered some common questions about the new legislation and the suitability of New Jersey warehouses as solar panel hosts.
Do these requirements apply to all New Jersey warehouses?
The new requirements apply to New Jersey warehouses of at least 100,000 square feet, whose construction permits have not been declared complete by the enforcing agency as of July 1, 2022.
What is considered a warehouse under the legislation?
Any building over 100,000 square feet which is primarily used to store goods for resale is considered a warehouse and must comply with the requirements of the law.
What requirements must be met in order to comply with the legislation?
In order to comply with the requirements set out in the legislation, a warehouse is required to set aside at least 40 percent of its roof area for the future installation of either a solar photovoltaic or a solar thermal system. This 40 percent figure is calculated once space occupied by skylights, roof decks, vegetative areas, and other objects has been removed from the equation.
Why has this law been introduced in New Jersey?
With the state’s warehouse sector booming, legislators are keen to ensure that this rapid growth in the warehouse sector contributes to New Jersey’s push towards clean energy. With a target of 17 GW of solar by 2035, it makes sense to embrace the growing warehouse sector as a strategic partner for the expansion of solar in the state. According to Newmark, a commercial real estate advisory firm, the aggregate area of leased warehouse space grew by 11.1 million square feet in the first quarter of 2021—opening up a huge range of potential solar sites for New Jersey developers.
What are the rules & regulations for designing and constructing solar-ready buildings?
The rules & regulations establishing standards for the design and construction of solar-ready buildings are forthcoming from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
What are the benefits of solar for New Jersey warehouses?
For commercial property owners and managers, New Jersey is an excellent location for solar. Below we have outlined some of the core benefits of going solar for New Jersey warehouses.
- Ideal Surfaces: Most New Jersey warehouses are ideal locations for solar panel installations thanks to their large, flat roofs. A big, clear space allows for the installation of a larger solar PV system, and a larger system means greater energy output and, as a result, increased savings.
- Solar Panel Efficiency: A typical NJ warehouse is located in an open area with little shading on its roof. This is the ideal environment for solar panels, ensuring strong annual sunlight exposure and optimal performance.
- Low Maintenance: Solar panels are extremely durable and come with lengthy warranties. As a result, they require virtually no maintenance. Generally speaking, the only maintenance required is an occasional rinse with a hose to make sure the panels are free of debris.
- Reduced Operating Costs: Going solar can significantly reduce the monthly utility bill of a commercial operation. A large commercial solar installation will generally pay for itself within 3 to 7 years and, once this payback period is over, the solar system will be generating free electricity for the remaining 20+ years in which the panels continue to produce power.
Are you interested in New Jersey solar? Reach out to YSG Solar today. YSG has been operating in the solar industry for over ten years, delivering solar solutions for customers throughout New Jersey. We have developed everything from small rooftop projects to utility-scale solar farms, ensuring the greatest utility bill savings for our customers. Call the office at 212.389.9215 or send us an email to learn how much you could save with solar.
YSG Solar is a project development company responsible for commoditizing energy infrastructure projects. We work with long-term owners and operators to provide clean energy assets with stable, predictable cash flows. YSG's market focus is distributed generation and utility-scale projects located within North America.
Sources:
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/new-jersey-solar-ready-requirement-7293168/
https://thenewutility.com/solar-panels-for-warehouses-nj/
https://goenergylink.com/blog/new-jersey-law-requires-solar-for-warehouses
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