PSE&G Solar 4 All Program extension approved by NJ BPU
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) approved an extension to the Public Service Electric and Gas Co.’s (PSE&G) Solar 4 All program, allowing it to build more solar farms.
Under BPU approval, PSE&G can invest up to $80 million over the next three years to build an additional 33 megawatts of solar farms on brownfields and landfills throughout its electric service territory.
The Solar 4 All program began in 2009 with BPU approval to install 80 megawatts-dc of solar capacity. In 2013, the program was extended, allowing the construction of an additional 42 megawatts for brownfields and landfills. The 2013 extension also provided the addition of 3 megawatts for storm hardening and grid resiliency through solar pilot programs.
The most recent expansion approval will bring the total capacity for the Solar 4 All program to 158 megawatts. In addition to landfill and brownfield use, the universal solar project will utilize parking lots, utility poles, and rooftops.
“Solar 4 All creates jobs, aligns with the New Jersey Energy Master Plan and helps the environment by directly increasing the amount of solar power in the state. And by building these universal solar projects and connecting them directly to the PSE&G electric grid, we are also ensuring that all of our electric customers truly share both the costs and the benefits of solar power.” said Courtney McCormick, vice president of renewables and energy solutions at PSE&G.
By the end of 2016, the program will have enough solar capacity to power 8,500 homes by utilizing 53 megawatts. This amount will expand to 86 megawatts by the end of 2019 and will power several thousand more homes across the PSE&G service territory.
