How to Participate
Who Should Register
In order to be eligible to generate Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs), non-rebated solar project owners must enroll in the SREC Registration Program (SRP) to establish the project's eligibility. Rebated projects being developed through the Renewable Energy Incentive Program (REIP) do not need to register in the SRP. Rebated projects will 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 to discuss financing options before choosing an installer.
Some solar installers or project developers may offer to buy Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) as part of the project financing, thereby reducing the amount of up front capital needed to finance the 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 New Jersey utility companies also offer solar financing based on the sale of SRECs. Check with your utility company for current program information.
Your installer will guide you through the process which is broken down into 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 New Jersey certification number?
- How do I earn and trade SRECs?
1. Am I eligible to particpate in the SREC Registration Program?
Participation starts by identifying the type and size of the system you need. Your installer will work with you to determine the system size and to develop a financial structure that works for you. The annual expected energy production of the energy system cannot exceed the annual historical energy usage of the utility meter that connects to the renewable energy system. Non-residential participants may submit one application for each utility meter that will connect to a renewable energy system. Residential applicants may submit only one application for the main household utility meter.
All solar project owners installing behind the meter (system is sized no larger than historical electric consumption at the meter) or grid-connected solar electricity projects (solar farms selling electricity to the utility) in New Jersey are eligible to generate SRECs, provided that the system is interconnected with an electric distribution system that supplies New Jersey. However, projects eligible for and requesting rebates should enroll in the REIP. Learn more about the REIP to determine if you are eligible for a rebate.
If you are not eligible for a rebate, you will need to enroll in the SRP prior to the start of construction in order to generate SRECs.
Please contact 866-NJSMART (866-657-6278) with any questions.
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 include 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.
Once the registration is accepted, the registrant will receive an SRP acceptance letter within 3-4 weeks. This letter will certify that the project, as proposed, will be eligible to generate SRECs in accordance with the State’s Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) rules.
Registrants must receive an SRP acceptance letter in order to be eligible to generate SRECs.
Once accepted, registrants will have 12 months to complete the installation and to submit the As Built packet to request a state inspection.
Please wait 3-4 weeks for questions regarding registration packets. Questions can be directed to theresa.heller@csgrp.com via email only.
Please do not call the Market Manager team to learn the status of your registration, inspection, or New Jersey certification number unless more than the published timeframe has elapsed. Due to high processing volumes we are unable to respond to registrants/installers unless the published timeframe has elapsed.
3. How do I request a state inspection?
Once the sytem is installed and capable of being operational, registrants 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, the program determines if the installation will receive a waiver of inspection for 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 part of the QA program, and the inspection is waived, the installer and the registrant will recieve a letter within 2-3 weeks of receipt of the complete As Built packet. The letter will instruct the registrant/installer to complete the final paperwork packet.
If the installation will be part of the Quality Control process, residential customers will be called within 2 weeks to schedule an inspection. A Clean Energy Program staff member will then email the inspection date to the installer. Installers will be e-mailed within 2 weeks to schedule the inspection for non-residential projects, since installers are expected to be present for the inspection. Inspections are currently being scheduled within 4 weeks.
Please wait 3 weeks after submitting the As Built packet for questions regarding scheduling an inspection. Questions about inspections may be submitted to melissa.smith@csgrp.com via email only.
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Watch this instructional video to learn more about this step in the process. |
4. How do I know if I passed my state inspection?
Installers will be notified via email of inspection results 2 weeks after the project was inspected. If the inspection was passed, the email will include a passed inspection report. The installer and the registrant will then need to pursue local inspections and utility interconnection application. (Note: Utility interconnections can take a few weeks, so submit the application early.)
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 2 weeks following the inspection, questions regarding the results can be directed to the specific program inspector that inspected your installation.
5. When will I receive my New Jersey certification number?
After successful completion of the local inspection and utility interconnection, the registrant or installer must submit a final paperwork packet. A complete list of requirements is defined in the Final Paperwork Checklist. This includes the utility interconnection application and the local inspection's UCC certificate of approval. If the final paperwork packet is deemed complete, a letter containing the New Jersey certification number will be sent to the system owner within 6-8 weeks of receipt. This letter will contain instructions on how to register with the SREC tracking system.
If the final paperwork is deemed incomplete, an email will be sent to the installer indicating the missing or deficient information or documents. Installers or applicants must correct the information and submit the documents to remain eligible.
Please allow 6-8 weeks before submitting questions regarding New Jersey certification numbers. Questions can be directed to melissa.smith@csgrp.com via email only.
6. How do I earn and trade SRECs?
Once you receive your certification number and have registered with the SREC tracking system, you will begin to earn Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs).
SRECs are issed to account holders based on actual production as reported by the system owner from a revenue-grade meter that meets the ANSI C12 metering standards, which ensures acceptable performance criteria for meters used in revenue metering. These certificates are deposited in the system owner's electronic account after the system owner has updated the meter readings for their system. SRECs can then be sold on the SREC tracking system, providing revenue for the first 15 years of the system's life. After the 15th year, when SREC qualification life has expired, the solar energy system will be eligible to generate Class 1 RECs*.
*Class 1 renewable energy is defined as electricity derived from solar enery, wind energy, wave or tidal action, geothermal energy, landfgill gas, anaerobic digestion, fuel cells using renewable fuels, and -- with written permission of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) -- certain other forms of sustainable biomass.
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 610-666-2245 or gatsadmin@pjm-eis.com.