Solar Renewable Portfolio Standard Acceleration Bill Introduced
November 14, 2011
Wolff & Samson Renewable Energy Alert
On November 10, 2011, New Jersey State Assemblyman Upendra J. Chivukula introduced Assembly Bill Number A4226 which, among other things, is likely to accelerate New Jersey’s Solar Renewable Portfolio Standard (the “RPS”) beginning in energy year 2014. A4226 provides that the RPS shall automatically increase by 20% for the remainder of the current schedule in the event the number of Solar Renewable Energy Credits (“SREC”) generated meets or exceeds the requirement for energy year 2013 and the average SREC price for all SRECs purchased by entities with RPS obligations has decreased in energy year 2013. If triggered, the effect of the 20% acceleration will be as follows:
| Energy Year | Current Requirement | New Requirement |
| 2012 | 442 Gwhrs | 442 Gwhrs |
| 2013 | 596 Gwhrs | 596 Gwhrs |
| 2014 | 772 Gwhrs | 926.4 Gwhrs |
| 2015 | 965 Gwhrs | 1,158 Gwhrs |
| 2016 | 1,150 Gwhrs | 1,380 Gwhrs |
| 2017 | 1,357 Gwhrs | 1,628.4 Gwhrs |
| 2018 | 1,591 Gwhrs | 1,909.2 Gwhrs |
| 2019 | 1,858 Gwhrs | 2,229.6 Gwhrs |
| 2020 | 2,164 Gwhrs | 2,596.8 Gwhrs |
| 2021 | 2,518 Gwhrs | 3,021.6 Gwhrs |
| 2022 | 2,928 Gwhrs | 3,513.6 Gwhrs |
| 2023 | 3,433 Gwhrs | 4,119.6 Gwhrs |
| 2024 | 3,989 Gwhrs | 4,786.8 Gwhrs |
| 2025 | 4,610 Gwhrs | 5,532 Gwhrs |
| 2026 | 5,316 Gwhrs | 6,379.2 Gwhrs |
In addition to potentially accelerating the RPS, if passed, A4226 will clarify that any solar facility (i) connected to a net metering customer’s side of the meter, regardless of the voltage at which the customer connects to the grid, or (ii) that has a capacity of 5 megawatts or less and is directly connected to the electric grid at 69 kilovolts or less, regardless of how an electric public utility classifies that portion of its electric grid, shall be eligible to generate SRECs. Any facility with a capacity that is greater than 5 megawatts that is not net metered or an on-site generation facility shall not be eligible to generate SRECs without the consent of the Board of Public Utilities (the “BPU”). In determining if a non-net metered facility with a capacity greater than 5 megawatts is eligible for SRECs, the BPU shall consider, among other factors, (x) the electric rate benefit and impacts of such facility to customers, (y) its impact on the development of the solar power and SREC market and (z) in consultation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the land use impact of the facility.
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For more information, please contact:
Stephen A. Kisker Of Counsel | (973) 530-2074 | skisker@wolffsamson.com
Robert H. Crespi Member of the Firm | (973) 530-2060 | rcrespi@wolffsamson.com
