NJ Renewable Energy Incentive Program

The Renewable Energy Incentive Program (REIP) provides rebates that reduce the upfront cost of installing renewable energy systems like solar, wind, and sustainable biomass projects.  The REIP is part of New Jersey's efforts to reach its Energy Master Plan goals of striving to use 30 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2020. The program includes financial incentives to system owners who install qualified clean energy generation systems in New Jersey.

Project Incentives
Rebate levels vary depending upon technology, system size, and customer type. If you are considering installing a system, click here to get started.

Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) can also be a recurring source of revenue to help finance projects.

Program Guidebook
The Renewable Energy Incentive Program Guidebook provides details about operations and procedures for the program.  The processes and procedures contained in the guidebook are subject to periodic revision, review, and approval by New Jersey's Clean Energy Program and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.  If you are a part of the 2008 CORE Program, please refer to the 2008 CORE Guidebook for technical standards and program policy.

REIP Training
The Board of Public Utilities provides Renewable Energy Incentive Program training sessions including RE 101, Renewable Energy Performance Fundamentals, and Trade Ally Training - QA to QC Transition.  The Trade Ally Training - QA to QC Transition is mandatory for renewable energy installers in New Jersey who want to participate in the Quality Assurance Program.

Funding Cycles
A funding level for all renewable energy projects has been established at $53.25 million for rebates for the period of 2009 - 2012.  Funding cycles have been implemented to ensure that financing is available through 2012.

REIP applications will be returned if the full budget for the present funding cycle is committed.  Applicants can reapply when the next funding cycle opens.  The three funding cycles begin January 1, May 1, and September 1.  Please note that the funding cycles are only applicable to solar incentives.

Solar Rebate Changes
As noted in the 2009 Program Plan, residential solar rebates will be reduced when 2009 residential solar project approvals exceed 10 MW of capacity.  In the residential segment, this rebated reduction will be $.20 per watt.  This will adjust the current rebate levels from $1.75 to $1.55 per watt for projects meeting the energy efficiency requirements and from $1.55 to $1.35 per watt for projects that do not meet the energy efficiency requirements.

Weekly progress on budgets and cumulative capacity block commitments are provided in the funding cycle status chart shown below.

*  A proposal to extend the first capacity black for the REIP solar residential budget category from 10 MW to 20 MW of approved projects is under consideration and will be reviewed at the October 7th NJBPU Board meeting.  If this proposal is approved, residential projects will continue to be approved at the current incentive rates until residential solar project approvals exceeds 20 MW of capacity.  Proposal status will be posted to this web site as it becomes available.

Residential projects will continue to be approved at the current rebate levels through the close of business on the day that cumulative approvals reach 10 MW.  The application approval date is the date on which the REIP application completes the approval process and is issued a NJCEP Approval Letter.  Please note that it is the date on which cumulative approvals reach 10 MW and the date on which your application is approved that determines the rebate you receive, not the date your application is received and deemed complete.  As there is a 2 to 4 week backlog for approvals, it is possible that some applications received before the date on which 10 MW is approved will receive the lower rebate rate.

The rebate reduction does not affect the availability of funds.  A funding level for all renewable energy projects has been established at $53.25 million for rebates for the period of 2009 - 2012.  Funding cycles have been implemented and rebate reductions have been established to ensure that financing is available through 2012.

Incentives for non-residential solar projects and wind and biopower projects are not affected by Capacity Blocks and will remain constant for the remainder of the 2009 Program year or until funds for each of these budget categories are fully committed.