This bill amends existing legislation to allow dual-use or agrivoltaics solar facilities to participate in New Jersey's community solar program. The new legal language defines dual-use solar facilities as those that generate electricity from solar panels located on unpreserved farmland while simultaneously allowing for agricultural or horticultural production on the same land. Additionally, the bill states that these dual-use facilities will be eligible for participation in the community solar energy program and will be admitted into the community solar market segment of the small solar facilities incentive program upon registration.

Currently, the Board of Public Utilities restricts qualified solar energy projects to specific locations, such as rooftops and contaminated sites. The community solar program enables utility customers to earn credits on their bills for electricity generated by solar projects that are not located on their properties but within their utility service area. By allowing dual-use facilities to participate, the bill aims to enhance the development of solar energy projects that are compatible with agricultural practices, thereby expanding the incentives available to these facilities beyond those provided by the Successor Solar Initiative program.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 48:3-87.11