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Officials gathered at a rooftop solar project site Thursday to highlight $156 million in federal funding awarded to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU).

The funding, first announced in April, from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency comes via the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) Solar for All Program. The effort aims to develop long-lasting solar programs for low-income and disadvantaged communities. It is part of the EPA‘s $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund established by the IRA.

“EPA’s Solar for All initiative will help ensure that clean energy solutions reach and benefit the communities most affected by climate change,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa Garcia. “This grant will enable New Jersey communities to adopt solar power, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and create green jobs.”

New Jersey officials and leaders say the funding will support the development of residential solar, multifamily housing solar and storage, residential-serving community, and technical assistance and workforce development. They note that the funding will help supercharge the Garden State’s nation-leading Community Solar Energy Program, which Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law in January.

“New Jersey’s $156 million Solar for All award will result in significant emissions reductions and millions of dollars in energy bill savings, including for thousands of low-income disadvantaged community households,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy.

“DEP is grateful to our federal partners and the Murphy administration for our joint commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a commitment clearly demonstrated by investing in programs like Solar for All to better protect the environment we share,” said New Jersey Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette.

Creating ‘real world’ benefits

Officials at Thursday’s press event highlighted a local community solar project. Under construction from Solar Landscape, the project atop a Prologis warehouse rooftop in Edison received tax credits from the IRA.

The nearly 370,000-square-foot footprint will serve more than 400 households — saving each one an estimated $250 per year.

“Projects like the one in Edison are exactly what I envisioned when I fought to include these critical climate investments in the Inflation Reduction Act,” said U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, D-6th District, a ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “It’s fitting that a town named after one of the greatest minds in electricity is now leading the way in energy innovation. This initiative will make clean energy accessible to everyone, especially in low-income and disadvantaged communities – while creating jobs and saving families money.”

“Community solar installations on commercial rooftops are America’s most shovel-ready clean energy option,” said Solar Landscape President Mark Schottinger. “Projects like this one are creating real world benefits today: creating jobs, reducing costs, and advancing America’s clean energy economy.”

Advancing efforts

“Approximately 89MW of community solar will be built on Prologis rooftops in New Jersey between now and spring 2026, with the majority of the energy beginning low-moderate income residents through community solar discounts,” said Prologis Senior Vice President and Market Officer Mike Sacro.

“We look forward to seeing the success of this project here in Edison replicated in communities across the state,” said Edison Mayor Sam Joshi.

The state expects to start using the funds beginning in 2025. They will also support grid improvements.

The event comes on the heels of actions taken this week by Murphy in the community solar space, which NJBIZ reported on.

“Thanks to the Biden administration’s landmark Inflation Reduction Act and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, New Jersey will further its nation-leading efforts to achieve bold climate action and clean energy equity,” said Guhl-Sadovy.