Stakeholder Meeting for the DUAL-USE SOLAR ENERGY PILOT PROGRAM

Wednesday, November 29th at 10:00 a.m.

The Dual-Use Solar Energy Act aims to facilitate solar projects on working farmland, while keeping the farmland in continued agricultural production. The pilot program seeks up to 200 MW generating capacity from dual-use solar in the first 3 years, with additional capacity if program is extended. The Pilot Program will serve as the basis for a permanent dual-use program in New Jersey.

The Board of Public Utilities (BPU), in conjunction with the NJ Department of Agriculture and the Rutgers Agrivoltaics Program have written a draft proposal for the rules that will implement the Dual-Use Solar Energy Act. The draft (straw proposal) is now open for public comment, with the intent of gathering stakeholder input.

For more information about the proposal and the Stakeholder Virtual Meeting, click the following link:
https://www.nj.gov/bpu/library/Dual%20Use%20Solar%20Energy%20Pilot%20Straw%20Proposal.pdf

To participate in the virtual meeting, you must register for the meeting at least 48 hours before the scheduled date. If you would like to speak during this Stakeholder Meeting, you must register via this form:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9uOqbekdSrW25I3I4FeUKw

The BPU is also accepting written or electronic comments. All public comments should be
filed under Docket No. QO23090679 In the Matter of the Dual-Use Solar Energy Pilot Program.
The deadline for comments on this matter is 5 p.m. Eastern Time on December 13, 2023.

You can learn more about Agrivoltaics at the Rutger Agrivoltaics Program Website:
https://ecocomplex.rutgers.edu/agrivoltaics-research.html

 

Agrivoltaics – Combining Solar Power & Farming in NJ — CORRECTED LINK

THE REGISTRATION LINK IN THIS POST HAS BEEN CORRECTED.

Farming under solar panels = “Agrivoltaics”.

On Wednesday, March 24th 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Rutgers NJAES will host a webinar on “Agrivoltaics” to explore farming the ground under solar panels (photovoltaics), what’s possible and what’s not in NJ.

Please register in advance for this meeting (no cost) at:

https://rutgers.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUucuurrzkpHNGZTA7os7FizQOsd8Pv23Pu

Agrivoltaics (also called dual use solar on farmland) offers the potential to both create renewable energy and sustain the productivity and profitability of precious farmland. Properly designed agrivoltaic systems have the potential to be built in such a way that the photovoltaic panels allow for farm equipment operation and minimal impact on crop productivity.

This webinar will explore examples of Agrivoltaic systems from other parts of the world and detail the work that has been done by the UMass Clean Energy Extension Program.  Participants will be able to interact with the NJAES Photovoltaic Committee and the Director of UMass Clean Energy Extension Program.