This bill establishes a pilot program for solar energy generation on roadside right-of-way areas in New Jersey. It defines key terms such as "roadside right-of-way," which refers to land adjacent to roadways reserved for maintenance and safety, and "roadside right-of-way solar energy project," which encompasses facilities that generate electric power from solar panels while allowing for uninterrupted road use. The Board of Public Utilities (BPU), in consultation with the Commissioner of Transportation, is tasked with adopting rules and regulations for the program within 180 days of enactment. These regulations will set a capacity limit of 10 megawatts for individual projects and a total capacity limit of 200 megawatts for all projects under the pilot program, along with financial incentives and criteria for project evaluation.

The bill requires project owners to obtain approval from the BPU and the Department of Transportation before construction, ensuring compliance with various safety and environmental standards. The BPU will review applications based on criteria such as traffic monitoring, project size, safety, and environmental impact. The pilot program is set to last for 36 months, with the possibility of two 12-month extensions, and aims to transition into a permanent program that incorporates findings from the pilot. The legislation also ensures that approved roadside solar projects are permitted uses in all municipalities, promoting the development of renewable energy while maintaining public safety and road functionality.