New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program offers businesses numerous opportunities to save money through installing energy efficient technologies. The program offers rich incentives for varying projects. Please see below for details about some of these programs.

Program 1: Renewable Energy Incentive Program (REIP)

User: Developers & Property Managers

Program Description:

Incentives and support for building renewable energy projects using solar, wind and biopower technologies. This includes $1.00/watt for solar systems up to 50,000 watts, $3.2/kWh for annual wind energy production of 1-16,000 kWh and $5/watt for biomass systems of capacity up to 10kW.

How to get started:

1. Determine eligibility for the program by identifying the type and size of renewable systems – solar, wind or bio-power. Small solar systems (<=50 kW DC) are eligible for upfront incentives and RECs; large solar systems (>50 kW DC) are eligible for RECs only; non-solar customer-sited any size of systems are eligible for upfront incentives and RECs.
2. Submit completed application package including application form, technical worksheet, documentation of annual electric consumption, signed contract for system to be installed, and site map.
3. Submit final documentation including final upfront incentive application, revised technical worksheet, and tax certification. Upfront incentives payments take 60 days after review and approval of all documents.
4. Trade renewable Energy Credits (RECs) by establishing REC accounts with REC administrator GATS or CPM. This is applicable to owners of eligible generating units, installers, REC aggregators/brokers, and Load Serving Entities. For more information, click here.

Reference:

• REIP Guidebook
• NJSSB Phone: 1-866-NJSMART (1-866-657-6278)
• For application forms, eligibility processes, etc: NJ Renewable Energy Incentive Program
• REIP Account Manager, Mark W Loeser: mark.loeser@csgrp.com; phone: 732-218-4430
• NJCEP Trade Ally List (commercial): http://www.njcleanenergy.com/tradeally/disclaimer?path=/commercial-industrial/programs/nj-smartstart-buildings/tools-and-resources/tradeally/approved_vendorsearch/

Program 2: NJ Smart Start Buildings Program (NJSSB)

User: Businesses, Developers & Property Managers

Program Description:

Statewide energy efficiency program that offers incentives for upgrading to high efficiency equipment, design support for larger projects (over 50,000 SQFT) and technical assistance for smaller projects (under 50,000 SQFT).

Commercial customers (within smart growth area) can avail the incentives for new construction and additions, renovations, remodeling, and equipment replacement. They can participate in the program in the following three ways:

• Selecting equipment from a pre-qualified list of measures (Prescriptive measures)
• Customizing unique measures (Custom Measures)
• Design and install equipment for efficiency of the whole building (Comprehensive Building Design Measure)

How to get started

Type 1.  Prescriptive Measures

1. Determine if your project is eligible for NJSSB incentive. Use Smart Growth Locator for checking NJ smart growth area.
2. Submit pre-approval application along with a worksheet and manufacturer’s specification’s for the equipment you plan to install.
3. Implement equipment upgrades as advised by the program representative for approved projects.

Type 2. Comprehensive Building Design:

1. Register the project with market manager.
2. Work with the Design Team to develop the project requirement Design Intent document.
3. Review design documents and specification when they 50% and 95% complete.
4. Attend the orientation meeting with all responsible parties of the construction project.
5. Attend Commissioning Scoping meeting to review the commission plan, address questions and determine lines of communication.
6. Finalize commissioning plan and implement it.

Reference:

• NJSSB Program Guide
• Market Manager Contact: 1-866-NJSMART
• Sample Projects

Program 3: Pay for Performance Program

User: Developers & Property Managers

Program Description:

Incentives available to facilities with an average annual peak demand over 200 kW for energy reduction. Measures that reduce current energy consumption by 15% or more are eligible for the program.

Incentives awarded on completion of three milestones:

1. Submission of Energy Reduction Plan: incentives between $5000 and $50,000, not to exceed 50% of the facility’s annual energy expense

2. Installation of measures: incentives based on electricity and gas savings

3. Completion of Measurement & Verification report: incentives based on actual savings

EPA’s interactive tool, Portfolio Manager, can be used in this program for tracking and evaluating energy and water consumption.

How to get started:

1. Select Program Partner from approved list of partners. For tips on how to select a partner, click here.
2. Submit application and participation agreement along with other required documents with the NJCEP office.
3. Develop Energy reduction Plan with the help of your Program Partner upon receiving approval notice Notice to Proceed.
4. Submit Energy Reduction Plan, a benchmarking report and Partner-Participant contract with a request for Incentive #1
5. Implement the Plan with the help of your Program Partner.
6. Submit request for Incentive #2 along with Substantial Completion Construction Report.
7. Submit request for Incentive #3 with 12 months of project completion.

Reference:

• Pay for Performance
• Applications & Forms
• Portfolio Manager
• Commercial & Industrial Market Manager: 1-866-NJSMART

Program 4: Combined Heat & Power Program (CHP)

User: Developers & Property Managers

Program Description:

(Part of the pay for Performance Program.) Provides incentives for purchase and installation of CHP units for on-site power generation. To qualify, the facility must be located in New Jersey and must purchase electricity from the utility grid. The incentives are capped at $1million per project.

Reference:

• Combined Heat & Power
• CHP Application Package

For specific questions about these programs please contact Ron Maslo at RMaslo@eamenergy.com or by phone at 732-996-2762 and he will be happy to assist you.