TRENTON, N.J. — A New Jersey congresswoman running for governor in New Jersey is pivoting from her party’s failed wind energy platform and doubling down on solar energy as the answer to New Jersey’s current energy crisis.
Sherrill announced, as governor, she would focus on expanding solar energy in New Jersey, following the state’s retreat from offshore wind development and growing concerns over rising energy prices.
Sherrill said New Jersey’s energy future must rely on solar, pointing to Texas as a surprising national leader in solar installations. “Texas is leading the country in new solar energy installation — and it’s not because they’re trying to be green. It’s because it’s cheap,” she said.
The move comes as New Jersey faces a power supply gap, with coal, nuclear, and natural gas facilities shuttered in recent years. The state failed to implement a comprehensive replacement strategy, contributing to a reported 30% increase in energy prices between June 1, 2024, and June 1, 2025.
Sherrill’s proposal includes large-scale solar development beginning with state-owned land. “I want to make New Jersey a leader in both community solar and utility-scale solar, starting with state-owned properties, to take control of our energy future and drive down utility bills,” she added.
New Jersey, the nation’s most densely populated state, lacks the open land available in states like Texas, making large-scale solar projects more complex. Still, Sherrill said the cost benefits of solar energy justify a strategic pivot.
Policy shift follows offshore wind retreat
The state’s prior investment in offshore wind energy stalled in 2023 after key developers withdrew due to rising costs, supply chain challenges, and economic uncertainties. That collapse left New Jersey with limited renewable energy alternatives and growing demand.
Sherrill’s solar-forward platform aims to position the state as a national model for solar deployment in urban and suburban environments. Her campaign is expected to focus heavily on energy affordability and long-term supply stability heading into the gubernatorial race.
