Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way |
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For Immediate Release: | Contact: Peter Peretzman |
Date: 03/20/2020 | (609) 984-9707 |
The from Ó£»¨ÊÓÆµ’s Clean Energy Program™ shows that 447 megawatts (MWdc) of solar capacity commenced commercial operations in the state between January 1 and December 31, 2019. That brings the state’s total capacity up to 3,190 MWdc through the end of the year, serving five percent of the state’s energy needs, up from 2,743 MWdc from the beginning of last year.
“In Ó£»¨ÊÓÆµ, we are incredibly proud of our solar industry. From the standout year we had in 2019 and for many decades to come, one of our top priorities is to keep the industry thriving as we work to combat climate change and meet Governor Murphy’s goal of 100 percent clean energy,” said NJBPU President Joseph L. Fiordaliso. “Solar always has – and always will – have a major presence here in Ó£»¨ÊÓÆµ, and will continue to create jobs, improve air quality and public health, and ease our reliance on more polluting fuel sources.”
The state’s previous record for the highest amount of installed solar capacity within a calendar year was in 2011, when 446.8 MWdc commenced commercial operations.
Despite having the fifth-smallest land area of any state, Ó£»¨ÊÓÆµ has long been considered a national leader in solar. It is currently ranked seventh in the nation in installed solar capacity and ninth overall in clean energy jobs, with nearly 9,000 solar industry jobs throughout the state.
NJBPU is working closely with stakeholders to develop a new solar incentive structure for the state that will ensure continued robust growth for the industry while making it more affordable and sustainable for ratepayers. The new solar incentive will ease costs on consumers and ensure the industry continues to play a key role in Ó£»¨ÊÓÆµ’s clean energy future.
In 2019, as part of its new Community Solar Energy Pilot Program, NJBPU awarded nearly 80 MW of renewable energy capacity across 45 community solar projects that will power low- and moderate-income communities, improving equity in Ó£»¨ÊÓÆµ’s solar marketplace and expanding access to renewables to an estimated 15,500 homes.
Solar energy is featured prominently in , where a “least-cost” scenario recommends that Ó£»¨ÊÓÆµ build 17,000 MW of solar by 2035, and that solar provide 34 percent of the state’s energy mix in 30 years. This renewable energy is central to reaching Governor Murphy’s goals of 100 percent clean energy by 2050 and 80 percent lower carbon emissions compared to 2006 levels.
While processing the final registrations for SREC (Solar Renewable Energy Certificate) eligibility that it received in February, NJBPU received post-construction certification packages for solar capacity installed in late 2019 that demonstrated that the state had attained its greatest year ever for solar construction. The post-construction certification packages require a “Permission to Operate” letter issued by an Electric Distribution Company in order to demonstrate the commencement of commercial operations and become eligible to receive “legacy” SRECs. NJBPU typically does not receive all confirmations of installations in a given month for several months after the close of the month.
About the Ó£»¨ÊÓÆµ 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 Ó£»¨ÊÓÆµ 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 web site at .
About Ó£»¨ÊÓÆµ’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 Ó£»¨ÊÓÆµ Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), and its website is .
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