Gov. Phil Murphy signed a pair of bills Friday that will expand access to community solar programs and allow for more battery storage to be built in New Jersey.
The new laws are part of efforts to slash the greenhouse gas emissions driving climate change and to lower long-term electricity costs.
Under the new laws, New Jersey must open registration for another 3 gigawatts of community solar capacity, eliminating a previous cap. That means roughly 450,000 residents, including half who are of low income, could benefit from solar energy without having to install their own solar panels.
New Jersey must also bring 2 gigawatts of battery storage online by 2030, something Murphy’s office says is one of the most ambitious targets in the nation. Expanding battery storage will enable New Jersey to capture energy during low-demand periods and release it when the grid needs it most.
“By accelerating the process for bringing new sources of energy online and rapidly building new energy storage facilities, we will meet growing demand while also making life more affordable for our state’s families,” Murphy said in a statement. “As part of this process, we are going to create good-paying, union jobs and build a cleaner, more resilient future for every New Jerseyan.”
