TRENTON – The Senate Environment and Energy Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Senator Troy Singleton that would establish a solar energy grant program to help schools and community colleges install solar infrastructure and reduce long-term energy costs.

The bill, S-1815, would create a grant program within the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to support solar energy projects at school districts, public schools, jointure commissions, educational services commissions, career and technical schools, and community colleges across the state.

“Energy costs place a significant burden on school budgets that should be focused on educating our students,” said Senator Troy Singleton (D-Burlington). “Investing in solar power for our schools will reduce long-term energy expenses, strengthen energy resilience, and help New Jersey move closer to our climate goals.”

Grants issued through the program could cover up to 50 percent of the total cost of eligible solar energy projects. The bill would also prohibit the BPU from requiring applicants to provide matching funds, helping ensure that school districts and public educational institutions can participate without needing significant upfront capital.

To ensure accountability, the legislation would require the BPU to establish application procedures, set evaluation criteria, monitor compliance with grant conditions, and require grant recipients to report on the use of funds. The board would also be responsible for developing educational materials to help schools better understand how to finance, install, and maintain solar energy systems.

In addition, the BPU would provide technical assistance to help applicants identify and utilize funding opportunities available through the federal Inflation Reduction Act.

If a facility that received grant funding were sold or transferred, the legislation would require a portion of the grant to be repaid to the BPU on a sliding scale depending on when the transfer occurs. The repayment requirement would range from 80 percent of the grant within five years to 20 percent if the transfer occurs between 15 and 20 years after the award.

New Jersey has become a national leader in solar development, with more than 245,000 solar projects installed or in development as of late 2025. By expanding solar access to schools and community colleges, the legislation seeks to lower taxpayer-funded energy costs while continuing to grow the state’s clean energy portfolio.