Community Solar for Subscribers
Community solar projects enable greater access to solar energy. Electric utility customers who have previously been unable to go solar, due to a variety of factors including cost, unsuitable roof, or lack of roof control, can now access this renewable energy.
Status
Applications are open
Program Contacts
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Why Community Solar?
Community solar projects enable greater access to solar energy. Electric utility customers who have previously been unable to go solar, due to a variety of factors including cost, unsuitable roof, or lack of roof control, can now access this renewable energy. It enables low- & moderate- income households and the environmental justice community greater access to clean energy and savings on their electricity bills. Community solar encourages local clean energy development without compromising the preservation of open space or protected lands in New Jersey.
How to Participate
Anyone who is an electric utility customer in New Jersey can participate. Utility customers can subscribe to a project within their utility area for up to the amount of electricity their home uses.
Community Solar for Subscribers
To find a community solar project serving your area, please use the Community Solar Project Finder button below to sign up with a community solar subscriber organization. Developed in partnership with Sustainable Jersey, the Project Finder allows residents to search by ZIP code to view projects that are currently seeking subscribers.
Subscriber Organizations assist community solar project owners in acquiring subscribers. All subscriber organizations are required to register with the NJBPU. You can find a list of community solar subscriber organizations registered with the Board or complete a registration at the link below.
Municipal Automatic Enrollment Project
Starting in 2025, New Jersey's Community Solar Program allows municipal governments to create a Municipal Automatic Enrollment Project to bring the benefits of community solar to low- and moderate-income residents in their community. If you receive a notice that your household has been selected for an automatic enrollment program, you do not need to do anything to start enjoying the benefits of the community solar project.
What Is Community Solar and How Does It Work?
A community solar project is a solar array whose output is virtually divided among multiple participants, known as subscribers. Subscribers receive a bill credit on their utility bill for their participation in a community solar project. Subscribers are not directly connected to the solar array. They can be down the road, across town or even all the way across the state. Community solar projects typically offer their subscribers a 15-25% discount on their electricity bills. The solar projects cannot be larger than 5 MW. This could power up to 1,250 houses and an array could cover 15-20 acres.
Community Solar Subscription Cycle
Community Solar Bill Credits
New Jersey’s Community Solar Energy Program now offers consolidated billing with all four electric distribution companies. Subscribers will no longer receive separate bills from their subscriber organizations (community solar providers).The subscriber will now receive one electric bill, which will include two new line items:
- Community solar billing credit based on the solar power generated by the community solar project
- Subscription fee from the cost of being subscribed to the program
Your regular monthly electric bill will show your normal electric usage and charges, your community solar kWh allocation and bill credit received from your community solar subscription, and the discounted subscription charge. The subscription charge will always be less than the bill credit, resulting in guaranteed savings!
For example, if you receive $50 in bill credits and your provider offers a 20% discount, you will see a community solar charge amount of $40, resulting in a net savings on your bill of $10.