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As reported previously the 36-month pilot program horticultural production and solar PV infrastructure on the same land is expected to be opened in early 2024, with the first round of solicitation and first application window commencing with the adoption of rules in mid-2024 and project selections being made before Fall 2024.

In filed comments several parties raised concerns regarding:

(1) the requirement that, for projects up to 3.0 acres, the research control area must be 100% of the land containing the solar array, with Agrivoltaics Stakeholders raising the representative objection that this “will severely limit the number and the diversity of farmers who will be able to accommodate such a large control plot and restriction on their farming practices,” noting that “finding willing landowners and/or tenant farmers and a site with feasible interconnection logistics presents an enormous challenge”; and 

(2) the pilot’s relationship to community solar programs seems unclear, with some, like Agrivoltaics and New Jersey Farm Bureau, under the impression community solar projects would be required to participate in the Community Solar Incentive (CSI) program, where they are unlikely to be competitive due to their size, rather than the Community Solar Energy Program (CSEP), while others, like Joint Community Solar Parties and Solar Landscape, were concerned that, while projects under 5 MW would be included, they would take capacity from CSEP, but, regardless, parties urged some pathway for smaller community solar projects to participate through the CSEP, with CS Energy proposing a dual-use-specific tranche in the program where projects “would provide a dual use incentive adder, if needed, with their applications.”

Notice And Request For Public Comment (12/21/2023)
QO23090679 (Opened 09/18/2023)
36-Month Pilot Program Designed To Demonstrate And Study The Compatibility Of Agricultural Or Horticultural Production And Solar PV Infrastructure On The Same Land.