New Jersey approves 45 community solar projects

January 2, 2020
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
The Community Solar Energy Pilot Program stands as one of the key initiatives of Governor Murphy’s goal of achieving 100% clean energy by 2050. Image: Shinya Suzuki / Flickr

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) approved 45 applications that will participate in the first year of its Community Solar Energy Pilot Program. In total, 100% of the approved renewable energy projects will serve low- to moderate-income (LMI) households within the state.

These 45 community-solar projects will be located on landfills, brownfields, rooftops, or parking canopies. Some of the approved applicants include community groups, government entities, and private developers. In total, these 45 installations will have a combined generation capacity of 77.61MW, enough to power an estimated 15,500 homes.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said: “My Administration is committed to ensuring that all New Jersey residents are able to live and work in a healthy and clean environment. The Community Solar Energy Pilot Program will not only provide clean energy to our state’s residents, but it will also expand access to renewable energy for low and moderate income communities who have been previously unable to enjoy the benefits of solar energy.”

Joseph L. Fiordaliso, president, NJBPU, added: “There is considerable excitement about community solar in New Jersey, and for all the right reasons, as these projects will grant underserved communities a long-overdue opportunity to participate in clean energy. It’s critical to ensure equitable access to clean energy, delivering the benefits of solar to those who were previously shut out of an industry that typically only wealthier communities could afford.”

The Community Solar Energy Pilot Program stands as one of the key initiatives of Governor Murphy’s goal of achieving 100% clean energy by 2050. In total, the NJBPU received a total of 252 applications for the first year of the pilot program, representing more than 650MW of total capacity. Of those 252 applications, 232 were for projects where at least 51% of capacity would benefit LMI residents.

NJBPU expects to award at least an additional 75MW during both the second and third years of the program, which will provide electricity to an estimated 45,000 homes over the three-year period. 

Read Next

October 31, 2025
US thin-film module manufacturer First Solar has unveiled plans to build a new 3.7GW manufacturing plant in the US in 2026.
October 30, 2025
Global net zero by 2050 is now “impossible” and the world is on course for temperature rises of 2.6°C, according to energy market analyst Wood Mackenzie.
October 30, 2025
US microinverter producer Enphase Energy posted increased revenues, margin and income in Q3 2025, as it doubles down on its US manufacturing operations.
October 30, 2025
Nexamp has secured US$600 million in financing for distributed solar and energy storage projects in the US.
October 29, 2025
NextEra Energy Resources added 3GW of new renewable energy generation and storage capacity to its portfolio in the third quarter of 2025.
October 29, 2025
US solar manufacturer Corning has brought online its wafer production at its Michigan plant, during the third quarter of 2025.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
November 12, 2025
10am PST / 1pm EST
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
Solar Media Events
March 10, 2026
Frankfurt, Germany