NJBPU Approves 3,750 MW Successor Solar Incentive Program

On Jul 28, 2021

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) voted unanimously to implement a new solar incentive program that will pave the way for up to 3,750 megawatts (MW) of new solar generation by 2026, doubling the state’s solar capacity.

The Successor Solar Incentive Program (or “SuSI” Program) is the culmination of a nearly three-year Solar Transition process mandated by the Clean Energy Act of 2018 to replace the state’s Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC) program with new incentives that encourage solar development while minimizing ratepayer cost. Solar energy is expected to generate approximately 10% of New Jersey’s total electricity needs once the program is fully implemented.

“In establishing the SuSI Program, we are solidifying New Jersey as a magnet for green jobs and taking yet another step toward Gov. Murphy’s goal of 100% clean energy by 2050,” said NJBPU President Joseph L. Fiordaliso. “This tremendous action has taken many perspectives into consideration and ensures the solar industry will remain a vibrant part of our clean energy innovation economy while prioritizing long-term affordability for ratepayers.”

The SuSI Program will take effect beginning at 12:00 a.m. E.T. on August 28, 2021, and contains two sub-programs:

1. The Administratively Determined Incentive (ADI) – a fixed incentive payment for net metered solar projects of 5 MW or less – including all residential customers and most commercial and industrial buildings – and all community solar installations. The incentive value will vary based on project type and size, and will be guaranteed for a term of 15 years.
2. The Competitive Solar Incentive (CSI) – a competitive solicitation designed to incentivize the lowest financial contribution from ratepayers for grid supply projects and net metered commercial and industrial projects larger than 5 MW. The first competitive process is anticipated to launch in early-to-mid 2022, following additional stakeholder engagement throughout this summer and fall.

The SuSI Program’s two-part hybrid market approach is designed to uplift solar market segments through long-term, tailored incentives for a variety of project types, allowing NJBPU to contain program costs and provide financial certainty for market participants.

The program will provide one New Jersey Solar Renewable Energy Certificate-II (NJ SREC–II) for every megawatt-hour (MWh) of solar electricity produced by a qualifying facility, with an additional $20/MWh adder for public entities – such as school districts, municipalities, and public colleges and universities – as well as a temporary incentive for projects built on contaminated lands.

Incentive levels for the ADI Program, shown below, range from $70-$120/SREC-II, providing continued support for solar development in New Jersey while also offering significant savings over the prior SREC value of approximately $220.

Market Segment	Size (MWdc)	Incentive Value ($/SREC-II)	Incentive Value for Public Entities ($/SREC-II)
Net Metered Residential	All types and sizes	$90	N/A
Small Net Metered Non-Residential on Rooftop, Carport, Canopy and Floating Solar	Projects smaller than 1 MW	$100	$120
Large Net Metered Non-Residential on Rooftop, Carport, Canopy and Floating Solar	Projects 1 MW to 5 MW	$90	$110
Small Ground Mount Net Metered Non-Residential	Projects smaller than 1 MW	$85	$105
Large Ground Mount Net Metered Non-Residential	Projects 1 MW to 5 MW	$80	$100
Community Solar Non-LMI	Up to 5 MW	$70	N/A
Community Solar LMI	Up to 5 MW	$90	N/A
Interim Subsection (t)	All types and sizes	$100	N/A

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