The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) has provided several updates regarding the Community Solar Energy Pilot Program. These updates include a review of Year 2 Applications and a look ahead to Year 3 of the Program and its development into a permanent community solar program for the state of New Jersey.
The New Jersey Community Solar Energy Pilot Program So Far
Community solar has become a prominent aspect of the New Jersey solar sector thanks to the development of the New Jersey Community Solar Energy Pilot Program over the last few years. With the advent of community solar in NJ, citizens have been able to access the benefits of solar energy regardless of their level of income or their homeownership status.
For the program’s first solicitation, the NJBPU received 252 applications, approving 45, for a total of 78 MW of solar capacity. Furthermore, 100% of the approved applications went on to serve low and moderate income (LMI) communities. The second solicitation saw significant growth for the NJ Community Solar Energy Pilot Program, with a record 412 applications representing more than 800 MW of capacity. Yet again, LMI communities were a key beneficiary of the Program, with all but one of these 412 applications proposing to serve LMI communities.
Year 2 Application Period Review
As noted above, the NJBPU has received a record 412 applications for the second solicitation of the Program. The proposed projects which make up these applications are currently under review by staff, with recommendations likely to be presented to the Board in October or November of this year. Although the New Jersey Successor Solar Incentive (SuSI) Program has now launched, applications selected from the Year 2 application period will be eligible to register for the Transition Incentive (TI) Program. Year 2 awards will not count against the 150 MW allocated for community solar under the new Administratively Determined Incentive (ADI) Program.
Year 3 & Permanent Program Development
As required by the Clean Energy Act, the NJBPU must convert the Pilot Program into a permanent community solar program for New Jersey by February 2022. Following the award of Year 2 applications, staff will organize a stakeholder process to discuss the design of the permanent community solar program. It is expected that this stakeholder process will begin before the end of the year. Owing to the timing of the transition to a permanent program, the NJBPU anticipates that it will transition directly to this permanent program, foregoing a solicitation for Year 3 within the existing framework of the Pilot Program.
Commercial Solar New Jersey
Commercial solar roof leases are a lucrative prospect for property owners in New Jersey. For 1 MW of a rooftop lease—which is equivalent to approximately 70,000 square feet—YSG is paying in the region of $70,000. Through a long-term agreement with YSG, New Jersey property owners can generate a steady, reliable revenue stream.
New Jersey Commercial Solar Roof Lease FAQ
Below we have answered some of the most important questions a property owner may have when considering leasing their roof for solar.
Should my commercial roof be replaced before installing solar panels?
For YSG to install solar panels on a commercial rooftop, the roof should be no more than 5 years old. If the roof exceeds this limit, YSG will work with a local roofing company to install a new roof ahead of the solar project.
What is the minimum roof size for a commercial solar lease?
For a commercial solar rooftop project, YSG requires a minimum of 50,000 square feet.
How much can I earn from a solar roof lease in New Jersey?
In 2020, under the New Jersey TREC program, solar roof lease earnings were $70,000/year per 1 MW.
How many square feet are required for a 1 MW solar installation on a flat roof?
For a 1 MW solar installation, approximately 70,000 square feet worth of roof space is required.
Carport Solar New Jersey
With the growth of solar in New Jersey and the falling costs associated with solar PV installation, a solar carport has never been more economically viable. In fact, according to PV Magazine USA, solar module pricing fell below $0.25/watt in 2020.
New Jersey Solar Carport FAQ
Below are some of the most common questions we field from prospective solar carport customers in New Jersey.
What is the minimum size for a solar carport?
As a general rule of thumb, YSG will go as low as 1 MW for a solar carport installation.
What solar carport services do you offer?
YSG has worked extensively in the development of solar carports, solar canopies, and solar parking lots, providing the following services:
- Parking Lot Leases: YSG leases parking lots to house solar canopies, paying the property owner rent.
- Solar Carport Installations: YSG installs solar carports, providing the carport owner with clean, renewable energy via a power purchase agreement.
- Solar Carport Host License Agreements: Under YSG’s unique solar carport host license agreement, we handle all geotechnical and foundation designs required to properly engineer a solar carport system.
What are the benefits of a solar carport?
Solar carports and canopies offer economic, environmental, and aesthetic benefits, including:
- Reduction, or potentially even elimination, of utility bills and electricity costs.
- Lowering of operating costs for property owners.
- Increased cash flow for the host.
- Superior aesthetics and additional shading.
- Reduction in carbon footprint.
- Improved brand image through visible support of renewable energy.
- Safeguarding from power outages via on-site electricity generation.
- Potential for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.
If you’re interested in New Jersey solar then reach out to YSG Solar today. YSG will assist you in identifying the ideal solar project for your energy needs and then make that project a reality. With over ten years of experience in the solar industry, we have worked on everything from rooftop residential installations to large-scale solar farm projects—and everything in between. To get in touch, send us an email or call the office at 212.389.9215.
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://njcleanenergy.com/renewable-energy/programs/community-solar
