Murphy Administration Expands Community Solar Program by 250 Megawatts

New Jersey’s expansion aims to broaden access to affordable solar energy, streamlining enrollment for low- and moderate-income households.

NEW JERSEY – The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) has approved an additional 250 megawatts (MW) of capacity for the state’s Community Solar Energy Program (CSEP), marking a significant expansion of an initiative that already ranks among the most extensive in the nation. The announcement, made April 24, builds on the momentum from the program’s first capacity allocation in November 2023, which registered more than 500 MW of community solar projects statewide.

Community solar allows electric utility customers—including renters and those unable to afford rooftop solar installations—to subscribe to shared solar projects located within their service area. Participants benefit from guaranteed bill savings, with discounts of 15% or more applied directly through community solar credits. Since its inception as a pilot program, CSEP has served more than 28,000 subscribers across New Jersey, providing over $37 million in bill credits and achieving more than $7 million in net savings.

The additional 250 MW capacity block is scheduled to open for new project registrations on April 30, 2025. Under the updated guidelines, projects submitted within the first 10 business days of the registration window will be evaluated collectively, with priority given to those offering the highest subscriber discounts. Following this period, projects will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

“New Jersey’s nation-leading Community Solar Energy Program has and continues to deliver millions in cost savings for those who participate,” said Christine Guhl-Sadovy, President, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. “By opening another round of projects, we are advancing smart policies that secure 20% savings for anyone who subscribes regardless of income, whether your roof is suitable for solar or not, or if you rent, ultimately helping [to place] affordability in reach for more New Jersey households. Use the NJBPU's Community Solar Project Finder to find existing projects near you and start saving money."

The expansion is accompanied by programmatic changes designed to make participation easier, particularly for low- and moderate-income (LMI) residents. Notably, LMI customers can now self-attest to their eligibility for discounted rates, and local governments are authorized to automatically enroll selected households into community solar projects. This approach is expected to help reach underserved communities by removing barriers that previously required residents to take individual action.

To further simplify the experience for subscribers, NJBPU recently introduced consolidated billing, which integrates subscription charges and solar credits into a single utility bill, eliminating the need for separate payments to community solar providers.

Electric Distribution Companies (EDCs) have also been granted permission to review inactive project applications, and projects currently registered in the CSEP have been granted a six-month blanket extension to accommodate ongoing development.

Residents interested in exploring community solar options can utilize the Community Solar Project Finder to identify projects with available capacity in their service area. The expansion supports New Jersey’s broader efforts to advance clean energy initiatives and make renewable energy more accessible and affordable for a wider range of residents.