How to Participate
Who Should Register
Owners of planned, non-rebated solar projects MUST enroll in the SREC Registration Program (SRP) prior to establish the project's eligibility to earn Solar Renewable Energy Credtis (SRECs).
Rebated projects being developed through the Renewable Energy Incentive Program (REIP) do not need to submit SRP materials, but will still be registered with the SREC tracking system upon system and REIP process completion.
Getting Started
If you have not yet chosen an installer, the Trade Ally Database includes a list of renewable energy installers that have completed at least three projects in New Jersey. It is recommended that customers meet with at least three installers before choosing an installer and discussing financing options.
Some solar installers or project developers may offer to buy SRECs as part of the project financing, thereby reducing the amount of capital needed up front to finance a project. All residential and commercial customers considering financing options for a solar installation should ask their installer about the value of SRECs and who will have the rights to claim them once the project is complete.
Many utility companies in New Jersey also offer solar financing based on the sale of SRECs. See if you are eligible for your utility's program.
Your contractor will guide you through the participation process which includes six steps:
- Am I eligible to participate?
- How do I submit a registration?
- How do I request a State Inspection?
- How do I know if I passed my State Inspection?
- When will I receive my NJ Certification Number?
- How do I earn and trade SRECs?
1. Am I eligible to particpate?
All solar project owners installing electrical distribution grid-connected solar electric projects in New Jersey are eligible to generate SRECs. However, projects eligible for and requesting rebates should enroll in the REIP program. See the REIP section of this web site to determine if you are eligible for a rebate.
If you are not eligible for a rebate, you MUST enroll in the SRP prior to the start of construction in order to establish your project's eligibility to generate SRECs.
Please do not call the Market Manager team for the status of your registration, inspection, or NJ Certification Number unless more than the published timeframe has elapsed. Due to high processing volumnes we are unable to respond to registrants/ installers unless the published timeframe has elapsed.
2. How to I submit a registration?
Once you and your installer have determined that you are eligible, you must complete and submit an SRP Registration Packet. The contents of a completed SRP Registration Packet generally includes the registration form, the solar technical worksheet, documentation of annual electric consumption, a signed contract for the system to be installed and a site map. A complete list of requirements is defined in the SRP Registration Checklist.
Incomplete or illegible registrations will be returned to the applicant without exception. Registrants must correct all deficiencies and resubmit the complete Registration Packet to be considered for eligibility.
Once the registration is accepted the registrant will receive an SRP approval letter within 2-3 weeks. This letter will certify that the project, as proposed, will be eligible to generate SRECs in accordance with the State’s RPS rules.
Registrants must receive an SRP acceptance letter prior to beginning construction in order to be eligible to generate SRECs.
Once accepted, customers have 12 months to complete the installation and to submit a Final Paperwork Packet to request a State Inspection.
After waiting 2-3 weeks, questions regarding Registration Packets can be directed to theresa.heller@csgrp.com via email only.
3. How do I request a State Inspection?
Once the sytem is installed and capable of being operated, regsitrants should submit required documents in the As Built Packet as defined in the As Built Checklist to schedule a State Inspection.
Once the As Built Packet is deemed complete, NJCEP determines if the installation will receive a waiver of inspection for the Quality Assurance (QA) eligible installers or if it will be a part of the Quality Control (QC/ on-site inspection) process. If the installer is in the QA program and the inspection is waived, the installer and the applicant will recieve a letter within 2-3 weeks of receipt of a complete As Built Packet. The letter will contain the paperwork necessary to complete this process.
If the installer is not in the QA program or the inspection is not waived, residential customers will be called within 1 week to schedule an inspection. The installer will be emailed the inspection date. Installers will be contacted in 2-3 weeks to schedule the inspection for non-residential projects.
After waiting 2-3 weeks, questions regarding inspections can be directed to melissa.smith@csgrp.com via email only.
4. How do I know if I passed my State Inspection?
Installers are notified via email of inspection results within 2 weeks. If the inspection was passed, the email will include a passed inspection report. If the inspection was passed, the installer and the registrant should pursue local inspections and utility interconnection.
If the inspection was failed, the email will include a failed inspection report. The installer must corect the deficiencies or supply the missing information and request a program re-inspection.
After waiting 2 weeks, questions regarding the results of your inspection can be directed to the program inspector that inspected your installation.
5. When will I receive my NJ Certification Number?
After successful completion of the State Inspection or QA review and the local inspection, the registrant or installer should submit a Final Paperwork Packet. A complete list of requirements is definted in the Final Paperwork Checklist. This includes the utility interconnection application, the local code UCC, and proof of completion of the energy efficiency requirements if necessary.
If the Final Paperwork Packet is deemed complete, a letter containing the NJ Certification Number will be sent to the system owner within 4-6 weeks of receipt. This letter contains instructions on how to register with the SREC tracking system.
After waiting 4-6 weeks, questions regarding NJ Certification Numbers can be directed to melissa.smith@csgrp.com via email only.
6. How do I earn and trade SRECs and RECs?
Once your solar energy installation passes inspection and is interconnected with the power grid, you will begin to earn SRECs or RECs. Each time a system generates 1,000 kWh of electricity, an SREC is earned and placed in the customer's electronic account. SRECs can then be sold on the SREC tracking system, providing revenue for the first 15 years of the system's life. After 15 years, the solar energy system begins to generate RECs.
The SREC tracking system enables account holders to track solar energy production from their installations. SRECs are issued to account holders based on recorded or estimated production of the solar energy system. Once your solar energy system has been installed and your online SREC tracking system account has been established, SRECs will be deposited monthly. The SREC tracking system also records the sale of SRECs from generators to purchasers.
Questions regarding SRECs can be directed to the SREC tracking system administrator, PJM-GATS, at 610-666-245 or gatsadministrator@pjm-eis.com.