As I have previously noted the State of New Jersey has finalized its long over due Energy Master Plan (here). As part of that plan, the State is looking to increase the State’s use of renewable energy from 22.5% by 2020 to 30% by 2020. This is called the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard or RPS. The RPS is split into Class 1 and Class 2 renewables. Class 1 renewable is solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, wave, tidal, landfill gas, fuel cells, anaerobic digestion. Under current regulations 20% of our electricity is required to come from Class 1 renewables by 2020.
The State as part of its RPS the State carves out 2.12% of the total renewable energy for solar installation. This means that of the 20% of Class 1 renewable, 2.12% must come from solar energy. The carve out is credited on making New Jersey the second highest State for solar generation behind California.
The Energy Master Plan proposes to increase the use of solar from 2.12% to a total of 2,120 GWh of solar. The State is changing from percentage to actual amounts because if the State is successful in reducing energy consumption than the overall amount of solar energy under the old percentages would be lower.
In essence the EMP is a reaffirmation of the State’s commitment to renewable energy. While this is good news and even though the State has stated a commitment to solar and renewable energy and the State has the second highest level of solar installation, 2008 was not a good year for solar. Below is a graph from New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program on solar installations from 2001 to the end of June 2008. (website)
2001 to June 2008 Solar Installation
There was a significant drop off in the installation of solar energy this year. This may be the result of the freezing of the State’s rebate program. The State stopped accepting new rebate applications for all but government entities for 2008. Maybe as PSE&G’s loan program takes hold the numbers will reserve themselves. What is clear is that if the State is serious on achieving increased adoption of solar energy it must makes sure the incentives are in place to achieve its goal.