Bill > A5658

This bill requires the State of New Jersey to cover the reasonable costs of interconnecting residential, net-metered, Class I renewable energy systems (such as solar panels) to the electric grid, beginning six months after the bill's enactment. Specifically, the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) is mandated to establish a grant program to distribute funds to electric utilities or their customers to cover these interconnection expenses. The board may utilize funds collected through the societal benefits charge—a non-bypassing charge on utility customers that supports various energy programs—to fund this new interconnection assistance program. Class I renewable energy sources typically include solar, wind, and other emerging clean energy technologies. Net metering allows customers who generate their own electricity to receive credit for excess energy they send back to the grid. The bill aims to reduce financial barriers for residential customers looking to install renewable energy systems by eliminating the upfront interconnection costs, which can be a significant expense for homeowners seeking to adopt solar or other renewable energy technologies.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A5658