New Jersey Sierra Club Director Jeff Tittel discusses the state of solar energy development in the Garden State and explains why 
his group supports Senate Bill No. 2276, legislation that would establish a 25-member New Jersey Solar Energy Study Commission and modify the State’s solar renewable energy portfolio standards.


The bill currently is in place for a final legislative vote in the New Jersey Assembly following passage on June 27 in the Senate on a 24-12 vote and its release from the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee on October 6. 


The legislation directs the commission is to study all aspects of New Jersey’s solar
energy generation industry, and make findings and recommendations
to the Governor and Legislature on how the use of solar energy could
be expanded in the State.

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Specifically, the commission is to study: (1)
the need to modify or extend the State’s solar renewable energy
portfolio standards; (2) utility interconnection processes and costs; and
(3) the current solar renewable energy credit market. The commission must  issue a report to the Governor and Legislature, annually, for four
years from the date of its organization. The commission would expire
after submission of the final report. 


The bill also modifies the State’s solar renewable energy portfolio
standards. 


Under current law, electric power suppliers and basic
generation service providers must generate a certain percentage of
their electricity from solar electric power generators. The current
schedule provides for a graduated increase in the percentage of solar
energy that is required to be generated each year, culminating in 4.01
2
percent by energy year 2027. 


This bill amends the schedule to require
electric power suppliers and basic generation service providers to
generate a greater percentage of solar energy each year, culminating in
4.1 percent by energy year 2021 and thereafter. 


The bill eliminates
increased solar energy requirements for energy years 2022 through
2027. Further, the commission is to study and make recommendations
concerning any modifications or extensions to New Jersey’s solar
renewable energy portfolio standards through at least energy year
2031. 

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