New Jersey Bill Lends Hand to Local Solar Makers

It’s a particularly trying time for solar energy, what with the nation constricting to fit the new shape induced by a persistent recession, but New Jersey isn’t letting the constriction rain on its solar parade.

Yesterday, the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee approved A-2042, a bill that would help local solar panel and parts manufacturers by giving them a 250-kilowatt head-start on the state’s solar renewable energy certificate (SREC) incentive.

That is, those installing rooftop solar systems, for example, would reach SREC territory sooner if they bought solar equipment made in New Jersey—an incentive that has found supporters and, surprisingly, a few opponents.

Take for example Jeff Tittle of the New Jersey Chapter of the Sierra Club, who fears that the bill will damage the state’s already established free-market based system of encouraging solar energy.

The bill, sponsored by Assemblymen Wayne DeAngelo (D-District 14), Matthew Milam (D-District 1) and Nelson Albano (D-District 1), is an amendment to the “Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act” of 1978 which directs the Board of Public Utilities—the state’s utility supervisor—to provide SRECs on an advanced timetable for those systems manufactured in New Jersey. That is, instead of one SREC per megawatt hour, New Jersey-made solar systems would get one SREC for 850 kilowatt hours.

In New Jersey, in 2010, a SREC was worth almost $700.

Other dissenters include SunPower business development manager Terry Sobolweski, who says the bill would prevent New Jersey solar buyers from getting the “best and lowest priced” products available. Note to unbelievers: SunPower is located in California.

DeAngelo, the bill’s prime sponsor, argues that A-2042 is essentially designed to create jobs and increase the uptake of clean, renewable solar energy.

Photo Credit: Lilly Anderson via Flickr CC

Posted on March 8th in Solar Politics by Jeanne.