PRIA Logo™
New JerseyS3183221st Legislature (2026-2027)SenateWALLET

Modifies various provisions of State's renewable energy incentive programs; requires electric public utilities to consider interconnection applications for certain solar projects.*

Sponsored By: Wayne P. DeAngelo (Democratic), Linda R. Greenstein (Democratic), Robert J. Karabinchak (Democratic), Nicholas P. Scutari (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Larger solar projects qualify, gain time

Solar facilities between 5 and 20 megawatts can register in New Jersey’s community solar program through December 31, 2028. Eligible locations are commercial or industrial rooftops, landfills, contaminated sites, and mining sites. These facilities remain subject to the law’s program restrictions. Separately, qualifying community solar and remote net metering projects get at least 33 months after registration to begin commercial operation. That timeline covers commercial or industrial rooftops, landfills, brownfields, contaminated sites, and mining sites.

Local agencies can skip renewable-credit bidding

Local contracting units can buy covered renewable energy credits without using the Local Public Contracts Law’s public bidding process. Covered purchases include remote net metering credits, similar renewable energy credits, and renewable energy production credits. The purchases must be under a program established by New Jersey’s Board of Public Utilities. The law does not set credit prices or guarantee savings.

Solar developers can share project sites

Solar developers can petition New Jersey’s Board of Public Utilities to place two or more eligible facilities on the same or adjoining properties. Facilities must be registered or seeking registration in the SREC-II incentive program, community solar, or a combination. Both the administrative and competitive parts of SREC-II qualify. The board can set different incentive levels for shared-site projects and community solar projects larger than 5 megawatts. The law does not set payment amounts.

Utilities must consider solar connection applications

Electric public utilities must consider applications to connect certain New Jersey solar projects to the grid. The available description does not identify which projects qualify or specify a review deadline. It also does not specify a requirement to approve an application.

More locations allowed for energy projects

Renewable energy facilities are permitted land uses on parcels of at least 10 acres in municipal industrial and commercial districts. Energy storage facilities also qualify under that rule. The law also makes renewable energy facilities and specified solar facilities permitted uses in every municipality. Covered solar locations include landfills, closed resource extraction sites, rooftops, and battery storage.

Remote solar gains sites, drops brownfields

New Jersey changes the eligible sites for solar projects in its remote net metering program. It adds industrial building rooftops, contaminated sites, landfills, and mining sites. It removes brownfields from the list of eligible sites. Projects remain subject to environmental rules adopted by the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Wayne P. DeAngelo

    Democratic • House

  • Linda R. Greenstein

    Democratic • Senate

  • Robert J. Karabinchak

    Democratic • House

  • Nicholas P. Scutari

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Katie Brennan

    Democratic • House

  • John F. McKeon

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lisa Swain

    Democratic • House

  • Chris Tully

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 125 • No: 31

House vote • 6/30/2026

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 60 • No: 17 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 6/30/2026

CONCUR ASMB AMEND

Yes: 32 • No: 7

Senate vote • 6/18/2026

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 33 • No: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor: APP

    9/9/2026Governor

  2. Approved by Governor — P.L.2026, c.84.

    9/9/2026Governor

  3. Passed Senate, PBH — (32-7)

    6/30/2026Senate

  4. Received in Senate, 2RSC

    6/30/2026Senate

  5. Passed Assembly — (60-17-2)

    6/30/2026House

  6. Substituted for A3974 (2R)

    6/30/2026House

  7. REP/ACA, 2nd Reading in Assembly

    6/28/2026House

  8. TRANS Assembly Budget Committee

    6/28/2026House

  9. Received in Assembly, Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee

    6/18/2026House

  10. Passed Senate — (33-7)

    6/18/2026Senate

  11. Reported, 2nd Reading in Senate

    6/4/2026Senate

  12. Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee

    3/23/2026Senate

  13. SA, 2nd Reading in Senate — (Voice) (Ruiz)

    3/23/2026Senate

  14. REP/SCA, 2nd Reading in Senate

    3/16/2026Senate

  15. Introduced, 1st Reading in Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee

    1/13/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • 7/6/26; 3R

    7/6/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Assembly Budget (6/28/26 3R)

    7/1/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Assembly Budget Substitute (6/28/26 2R)

    6/29/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • 6/8/26; 2R

    6/8/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Budget and Appropriations Substitute (6/4/26 2R)

    6/5/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate 3/23/26 1R

    3/24/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate 3/23/26 2R

    3/24/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • As Introduced

    3/17/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Environment and Energy (3/16/26 1R)

    3/17/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Environment and Energy Substitute (3/16/26)

    3/17/2026

    HTMLPDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation