Encore renewable energy
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) voted on November 21 to open the Dual-use solar pilot program registration period for pre-qualified participants. The Dual-Use Pilot aims to integrate solar installations on designated agricultural land, also known as agrivoltaics – advancing a proven technology that will provide farmers across the Garden State with a new revenue stream and produce affordable energy generation in the state.
A new report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis shows that agricultural voltaic installations are expanding, from 27,000 hectares with a capacity of 4.5 GW in 2020 to more than 62,000 hectares and 10 GW in 2024 – enough to power 1.5 million homes.
“The pilot program demonstrates our state approach to our clean energy goals, combining the success of solar installations with economic growth for local farmers – working with key feedback from the communities where this will be implemented,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “This partnership will allow us to continue rapidly expanding clean energy sources while farmers can reap the benefits.”
The general registration period starts on January 14, 2026 and closes on February 25.
Public input was critical to the development of the Dual-Use Pilot. The NJBPU conducted a robust stakeholder process to develop the Dual-Use Pilot, in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the Rutgers Agrivoltaics Program (RAP) at Rutgers University. The Dual-Use Pilot will provide research results needed to provide the basis for a permanent program, which could include standards for the construction and operation of dual-use projects.
News release from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU)
