This research provides the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) and other interested parties with a detailed understanding of capacity and electricity generation potential in the agricultural, rooftop, floating, parking lots, and landfills and brownfields market segments. The project objective is to provide an estimate of solar potential in overburdened communities (OBCs) and a discussion of community solar potential.

New Jersey evidenced a robust solar market with over 5,300 MW of solar power installed or in the installation pipeline as of October 2023. This study provides a detailed understanding of capacity and electricity generation potential in the agricultural, rooftop, floating, parking lots, and landfills and brownfields market segments. Findings include estimates for three types of potential: (1) Technical potential provides the theoretical maximum amount of solar that can be installed given available space. (2) Market potential accounts for market and policy considerations, such as limits on agricultural land development and interconnection opportunities; building codes, rooftop characteristics, ownership, and shading; and redevelopment opportunities for parking lots. (3) Market adoption projection potential simulates adoption by 2030 and 2050 based on currently available data.

Additionally, the study assesses the potential for solar installations on office parks, a segment with significant, often overlooked, capacity. Finally, it explores the role and necessity of community benefit plans (CBPs) through a multi-faceted approach. This includes a geospatial analysis to map the potential of solar projects in relation to communities, a media analysis to gauge public perception, and surveys to directly capture the needs and desires of community members. These efforts aim to inform policies that ensure solar development not only generates clean energy but also provides tangible, equitable benefits to local residents.