Legislation would increase the size of remote net-metering projects, ease solar development on brownfields and landfills, and require utilities to connect certain renewable energy projects.
A sweeping renewable energy bill introduced in the New Jersey Senate would expand solar development opportunities across the state, increase the size of remote net-metering projects, and require electric utilities to process interconnection applications for qualifying renewable energy facilities.
Senate Bill 3183, sponsored by Senate President Nicholas P. Scutari and Sen. Linda R. Greenstein, proposes significant changes to several of New Jersey’s renewable energy incentive programs and land-use regulations. The measure is also co-sponsored by Sen. John McKeon.
The legislation is designed to accelerate solar energy deployment, encourage battery storage projects, and make greater use of previously disturbed properties such as landfills, contaminated sites, brownfields, and former mining operations.
Solar projects could become larger and more flexible
One of the bill’s most significant provisions would allow multiple solar facilities to be developed on the same property or on contiguous properties while still participating separately in state incentive programs. The legislation would prohibit restrictions on the co-location of eligible solar projects under several state renewable energy programs.
The proposal would also remove size and power output restrictions for solar projects located on landfills, brownfields, contaminated sites, and mining sites when participating in the community solar or remote net-metering programs.
Projects developed on those sites would receive at least 33 months to achieve commercial operation, with automatic deadline extensions if utility-related delays occur during the interconnection process.
Remote net-metering projects would quadruple in size
The bill would increase the maximum size of remote net-metering solar projects from five megawatts to 20 megawatts. Remote net-metering allows public entities to receive credits from solar generation located away from the facilities that consume the electricity.
Eligible projects could be located on public or private property, including rooftops, parking lots, landfills, contaminated sites, brownfields, and mining sites. However, the legislation would continue to prohibit development on preserved Green Acres land, wetlands, certain forested areas, and designated prime agricultural soils.
Utilities would face new interconnection requirements
The proposal would require electric public utilities to accept, process, and approve interconnection applications for community solar and remote net-metering projects connected to electric lines carrying 34.5 kilovolts or less.
The bill further declares that utility lines at or below that voltage level would be considered distribution lines subject to the jurisdiction of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and eligible for renewable energy project interconnections.
Supporters argue the changes could reduce delays that developers often encounter when attempting to connect solar and battery storage facilities to the electric grid.
Battery storage gains expanded protections
The legislation would expand current land-use protections for renewable energy projects by adding battery storage facilities to the list of permitted uses in certain locations.
Under the proposal, renewable energy facilities and battery storage projects located on landfills, brownfields, contaminated sites, mining sites, and closed resource extraction operations would be permitted uses in municipalities statewide, regardless of local zoning restrictions.
The bill would also update existing law governing industrial zones by specifically including battery storage technology within the definition of renewable energy facilities permitted on large industrial properties.
Public entities would gain purchasing flexibility
Another provision would exempt the purchase of remote net-metering credits and certain renewable energy credits from public bidding requirements under New Jersey’s Local Public Contracts Law.
Supporters say the exemption could make it easier for local governments and public entities to participate in renewable energy programs and reduce energy costs.
If enacted, the Board of Public Utilities would be required to adopt implementing regulations within 120 days.
Key Points
• Senate Bill 3183 would increase the maximum size of remote net-metering solar projects from 5 megawatts to 20 megawatts.
• The legislation would expand solar and battery storage development opportunities on landfills, brownfields, contaminated sites, and former mining properties.
• Utilities would be required to process and approve certain solar project interconnection applications under new statewide standards.
