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The basics:

• NJEDA approved $79M through the RETROFIT NJ program
• Funding supports 10 energy-efficiency, decarbonization initiatives
• Projects include solar, battery storage, building electrification
• More than $54M will benefit overburdened communities

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority Board approved $79 million in grants for 10 large-scale building decarbonization and energy-efficiency projects across the state. The funding is part of NJEDA’s Reducing Emissions through Retrofits, Optimization, Fuel-Switching, and Innovative Technologies – or RETROFIT NJ – program.

Located in nine communities, the projects are expected to support $238 million in economic activity while advancing clean-energy initiatives through solar generation, battery storage, building electrification and efficiency upgrades.

According to the NJEDA, the projects will add a combined 20.3 megawatts of solar capacity and 86.9 megawatts of battery storage – enough energy to power nearly 3,000 homes. They will also reduce electricity usage by 30.7 million kilowatt-hours annually and eliminate more than 845,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.

More than $54 million of the funding will support projects in New Jersey’s overburdened communities.

The RETROFIT NJ program is funded through $79 million in Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) funds. It supports projects that incorporate at least three clean energy or electrification measures, including solar, battery storage, heat pumps, refrigerant replacements and energy-efficiency improvements. The program also promotes thermal energy networks that connect heating and cooling systems across multiple buildings.

‘Meaningful cost relief’

NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Evan Weiss said RETROFIT NJ advances both the state’s economic and energy goals.

“Since day one, Gov. Mikie Sherrill has focused on lowering energy costs and expanding grid capacity to bolster business growth, promote affordability, and attract investment,” Weiss said. “Projects supported by the RETROFIT NJ Program will provide meaningful cost relief to residents and business owners, broaden energy capacity, and increase the reliability of the state’s electric grid, building on the NJEDA’s existing clean energy efforts to strengthen the state’s economic future.”

Award recipients:

• $10 million – Camden County Vo-Tech School, Sicklerville
  2.1 MW solar installation, energy-efficiency upgrades, refrigerant replacements and EV charging stations
• $6.9 million – Christ Church/CARE Center of NJ, Rockaway
  Solar generation, heat pumps and building-efficiency improvements
• $8.8 million – Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City
  2.1 MW solar system, 16 MW battery storage and building management upgrades
• $3 million – Housing Authority of Plainfield, Plainfield
  Solar installation, heat pumps, refrigerant replacements and energy-efficiency upgrades
• $2.9 million – Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Newark
  Solar generation, electrified heating systems, efficiency upgrades and EV chargers
• $9.5 million – Port Authority Trans-Hudson, Jersey City
  Solar installation, heating-system replacements and efficiency improvements
• $8 million – Rutgers University, New Brunswick
  Thermal energy network project replacing aging underground infrastructure serving approximately 124 campus buildings
• $9.9 million – Showboat Hospitality, Atlantic City
  Battery storage installation, refrigerant replacement and efficiency upgrades
• $10 million – Bell Works, Holmdel
  12.99 MW solar installation, refrigerant replacements and energy-efficiency improvements
• $10 million – X-L Plastics, Clifton
  47 MW battery storage system, building electrification and efficiency upgrades

Sustaining sustainability

The RETROFIT NJ awards are part of more than $180 million in clean-energy project investments the NJEDA has supported in 2026, according to the authority.

In addition to the $79 million approved through RETROFIT NJ, the NJEDA has:

• Awarded $6.8 million for 12 projects through its NJ Cool program
• Closed on a $2.49 million Clean Energy Loan supporting a community solar project in Branchburg
• Approved more than $32 million through its Zero-Emission Incentive Program for the purchase of 463 zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles
• Facilitated $75.5 million in financing through the Garden State Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program