On April 17, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) announced awards in the second Competitive Solar Incentive (CSI) Program Solicitation. The Board awarded 310.21 MW of solar generation and 80 MWh of storage paired with solar generation. These awards aim to support the growth of New Jersey’s solar industry and generate enough electricity to serve approximately 42,000 homes annually.
“Since the outset of the Murphy Administration, solar has remained integral to our pursuit of a 100% clean energy economy,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “The CSI Program Awards will further bolster the thriving industry and support family-sustaining union jobs. Just as importantly, these awards demonstrate that large-scale solar projects can be developed competitively, bringing down costs for New Jersey ratepayers.”
Eight solar generation projects were selected by lowest bid price in the competitive solicitation: five projects from Tranche 1, Basic Grid Supply, and three projects from Tranche 3, Grid Supply on Contaminated Sites and Landfills. The selected projects are distributed throughout New Jersey in seven counties. All basic grid supply projects must comply with rigorous construction standards designed to protect the soil and offer native plant habitat for pollinators.
The competitive solicitation awards SREC-IIs for qualifying grid supply projects and large net metered projects greater than 5 MW in five market segments or tranches:
- Tranche 1 – Basic grid supply projects
- Tranche 2 – Grid supply projects sited on the built environment
- Tranche 3 – Grid supply projects sited on contaminated sites and landfills
- Tranche 4 – Net metered non-residential projects greater than 5 MW
- Tranche 5 – Pairs storage with a grid supply project eligible for Tranche 1, 2 or 3
On November 17, 2023, NJBPU approved rules for the CSI Program codified in N.J.A.C. 14:8-11.10 as part of the larger Successor Solar Incentive (SuSI) Program set forth in N.J.A.C. 14:8-11. The SuSI Program serves as the permanent program for providing solar incentives to qualified solar electric generation facilities, while the CSI Program is designed to provide incentives to larger solar facilities within SuSI.
About New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program (NJCEP)
NJCEP was established on January 22, 2003, under the Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act (EDECA). It provides financial and other incentives to residential customers, businesses, and schools that install high-efficiency or renewable energy technologies to reduce energy usage, lower energy bills, and minimize environmental impacts. The program is authorized and overseen by NJBPU.
NJBPU is a state agency responsible for ensuring safe utility services at reasonable rates for New Jersey customers. Services regulated by NJBPU include natural gas, electricity, water, wastewater, telecommunications, and cable television.
For more information about NJBPU or NJCEP visit their respective websites at www.nj.gov/bpu and www.NJCleanEnergy.com.
