As part of a $7 billion tranche through its Solar for All program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week awarded the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) $156.1 million in grant funding.

The program is part of the $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, created under the Inflation Reduction Act. The funding award will be leveraged to develop long-lasting solar programs that enable low-income and disadvantaged communities to benefit from solar power.

Through NJBPU, the state designed a program called New Jersey Solar for All. It aims to tackle major barriers that have prevented the adoption of solar energy by these low-income and disadvantaged households.

New Jersey Solar for All will focus on four areas:

• Residential solar
• Multifamily housing solar and storage
• Residential-serving community solar
• Technical assistance and workforce development

“Solar for All delivers on EPA‘s commitment that climate justice means delivering clean energy benefits to disadvantaged communities at the forefront of tackling climate change,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa Garcia. “This grant will help communities across New Jersey access solar power and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while benefitting from programs that will provide good paying jobs.”

The EPA notes that the solar energy is in high demand here in the Garden State – and that the NJBPU has extensive experience in managing successful solar deployment programs. Meanwhile, the state expects this program to accelerate the energy transition in underserved communities.

In a press release, Gov. Phil Murphy said that New Jersey is once again utilizing innovative strategies and equitable clean energy solutions to leverage the Biden administration’s “landmark investments.”

“In addition to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening New Jersey’s grid infrastructure, the projects supported by this unprecedented funding will produce significant cost-savings for hard-working New Jersey families, including tens of thousands of overburdened households across the state,” said Murphy. “I want to thank President Biden and his administration, as well as our congressional delegation, for delivering transformative and necessary climate funding in the Inflation Reduction Act.”

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