The Renewable Energy Incentive Program (REIP) provides rebates that reduce the upfront cost of installing renewable energy systems like solar, wind, and sustainable biomass projects in New Jersey.  The REIP program is part of the State's efforts to reach its Energy Master Plan goals of meeting 30 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2020.

Project Incentives
Rebate levels vary depending upon energy efficiency measures completed, technology, system size, and customer type. If you are considering installing a system, learn how to get started.

Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) can also be a recurring source of revenue to help finance projects.

REIP Program Guidebook
The REIP Program Guidebook provides details about New Jersey's Clean Energy^TM (NJCEP) technical requirements for solar, wind, and sustainable biopower installations.  All renewable energy installations must meet the technical requirements contained in the REIP program guidebook in order for the customer to receive a rebate from New Jersey's Clean Energy Program and to generate SRECs.  The processes and procedures contained in the guidebook are subject to periodic revision, review, and approval by New Jersey's Clean Energy Program and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.  If you are a part of the 2008 CORE Program, please refer to the 2008 CORE Guidebook for technical standards and program policy.

REIP Training
New Jersey's Clean Energy Program provides REIP and SREC Registration Program (SRP) program overview sessions for all renewable energy installers.  Program overview sessions include detailed instructions for the completion of the REIP/ SRP application process, the state inspection process, the final paperwork submission process, and customer generation of Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs).  The sessions includes a review of the REIP/ SRP program guidebooks, NJCEP's technical requirements for renewable energy installations, and common installation errors.  The overview sessions also include a description of the Quality Assurance (QA) program for solar installers.

Training during 2010 is mandatory for all renewable energy installers.  View upcoming training sessions and registration information.

Funding Cycles
The 2010 REIP budget includes $64.6 million for new renewable energy project commitments.  Three funding cycles have been established to ensure that financing is available through the end of the year.

REIP applications will be returned to the applicant if the full budget for the present funding cycle is committed.  Applicants can reapply when the next funding cycle opens.  The three funding cycles begin January 1, May 1, and September 1.  Please note that the funding cycles are only applicable to solar incentives.  View funding cycle progress below.

Solar Capacity Blocks
As noted in the REIP Program Plan, residential and non-residential solar rebates will be reduced when residential and non-residential solar project approvals exceed 20 MW of capacity respectively.

In the residential budget category, this rebated reduction will be $.20 per watt.  This will adjust the current rebate levels from $1.75 to $1.55 per watt for projects meeting the energy efficiency requirements and, after 20 MW is realized, from $1.55 to $1.35 per watt for projects that do not meet the energy efficiency requirements.

In the non-residential budget category, this rebate reduction will be $0.10 per watt.  This will adjust the current non-residential rebate levels from $1.00 to $0.90 per watt for projects meeting the energy efficiency requirements and, after 20 MW is realized, from $0.90 to $.80 per watt for projects that do not meet the energy efficiency requirements.

Weekly progress on budgets and cumulative capacity block commitments are provided in the funding cycle status chart shown below.

Incentives for wind and sustainable biopower projects are not affected by capacity blocks and will remain constant for the 2010 program year or until funds for each of these budget categories are fully committed.

NOTES:

• The chart above represents total funds available for new project approvals in Funding Cycle (FC1) and the current funding cycle budget commitments as of this report date.
• FC1 covers the period from January 1, 2010 to April 30, 2010.
• For the period ending on this report date, there were 16 applications returned to the applicant.

Notes: 

• The numbers in this chart reflect the cumulative applications approved from REIP program inception through the date of this report.
• The standard incentive level for residential solar systems will decline to $1.55/ watt once a total of 20 MW of REIP residential solar approvals (from the program inception) are reached.
• The standard incentive level for non-residential solar systems will decline to $.90/ watt once a total of 20 MW of REIP non-residential solar approvals (from program inception) are reached.