On August 25, 2025, Gov. Murphy signed into law S.5430, a bill requiring the Board of Public Utilities to open, on October 1, 2025, registration for an additional 3,000 megawatts (MW) of community solar development. This registration will remain open until either all 3,000 MW have been completely registered, or until December 31, 2029, whichever comes first. The Board must set incentive (SREC-II) amounts and the required guaranteed bill credit discount level “as appropriate to enable the complete registration of 3,000 megawatts.”
The Community Solar Energy Program provides access to renewable energy by allowing residents without suitable rooftop facilities for solar panels to subscribe to a portion of a shared solar project developed elsewhere and receive credit on their utility bills for the electricity generated by their share of the project. This credit reduces energy costs and is identified as a guaranteed discount available to low- and moderate-income households. Overall, the program is designed to lower energy costs for utility customers while supporting renewable solar development. The language of the newly passed statute requires the Board to set effective and attractive prices such as to develop all 3,000 MWs.
Questions remain on how the megawatts are divided between utility territories, and if elected to the Assembly, Ms. Esparza and Ms. Bauer will be certain to make sure that the JCP&L territory has its fair share of SREC-II amounts to serve its customers without access to rooftop solar. It remains unclear how the utilities will be able to connect 3 gigawatts (GW) of solar power to circuits that may be full or nearly full. Nonetheless, this is an important step forward in pushing additional solar power for residents of the State.
Janine Bauer was an early supporter of solar development and other renewable resources in the State and authored a book titled, A New Jerseyan’s Guide to Solar Energy, in 1978.
