How to Participate
Your first move towards installing your own clean, renewable energy system is to find an installer that's right for you. The Trade Ally Database includes a list of renewable energy installers that have completed at least three projects in the participating category in New Jersey. It is recommended that customers meet with at least three installers before choosing an installer and discussing financing options.
Your installer will guide you through the participation process which includes six steps:
- Am I eligible to participate?
- How do I submit an application?
- 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 and rebate check?
- How do I earn and trade RECs or SRECs?
1. Am I eligible to participate?
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. Review the Renewable Energy Incentive Program (REIP) requirements with your installer to determine if you are eligible for incentives.
To be eligible for a REIP rebate, the project must be installed in New Jersey, and you must contribute to the Societal Benefit Charge (SBC), a small payment made through your utility bill.
Residential and non-residential new construction projects that are not located in a designated Smart Growth Areas are not eligible for rebates for solar, wind, or biopower through the REIP. If you are planning a new construction project, please visit the Department of Community Affairs web site to determine if your location is in a Smart Growth Area.
Please do not call the Market Manager team to inquire about the status of your application, inspection, NJ Certification Number, or rebate check unless more than the published timeframe has elapsed. Continue reading this page for appropriate timeframes. Due to high processing volumes, we are unable to respond to applicants/ installers unless the published timeframe has elapsed.
2. How do I submit an application?
Once you and your installer have determined that you are eligible, you must complete and submit an REIP Application Packet. The contents of a completed REIP Application Packet generally include an application form, the appropriate 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 REIP Application Checklist.
Incomplete or illegible applications will be returned to the applicant without exception and funds will not be reserved. Applicants must correct deficiencies and resubmit the full application to be considered for eligibility.
Once the Application Packet is accepted, and if sufficient program funds are available within the funding cycle, the applicant will receive an approval letter within 4-6 weeks. This letter represents a commitment of program incentive funds, contingent upon the timely and proper completion of the project. The letter will also certify that the project, as proposed, will be eligible to generate SRECs in accordance with the State’s RPS rules. If sufficient program funds are not available, the application will be returned.
Customers must receive an REIP rebate approval letter prior to completing their local inspection, or they will jeopardize their rebate.
Once approved, customers have 12 months to complete the installation and to submit the As Built Packet to request a State inspection.
After waiting 4-6 weeks, questions regarding applications can be directed to theresa.heller@csgrp.com via email only.
3. How do I request a State inspection?
Once the system is installed and is capable of being operated, applications should submit the documents required 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 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 receive a letter postmarked within 2 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 applicants will be called within 1 week to schedule an inspection. The installer will be emailed the inspection date. Installers will be contacted to schedule the inspection for non-residential projects.
After waiting 1 week, questions regarding scheduling an inspection 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 applicant should pursue local inspections and utility interconnection.
If the inspection was failed, the email will include a failed inspection report. The installer must correct the deficiencies or supply the missing information and request a program re-inspection.
After waiting 1 week, questions regarding inspection status can be directed to the program inspector that inspected your installation.
5. When will I receive my NJ Certification Number and rebate check?
After successful completion of the state inspection or quality assurance review, and the local inspection, the applicant or installer should submit a Final Paperwork Packet. A complete list of requirements is defined in the Final Paperwork Checklist. This includes the utility interconnection application, local code UCC, and proof of completion of energy efficiency measures.
If the Final Paperwork 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.
If the Final Paperwork is deemed incomplete, the letter will contain the Final Paperwork Checklist indicating the missing or deficient information. Installers or applicants must correct the information and resubmit the full Final Paperwork Packet to remain eligible.
After waiting 4-6 weeks, questions regarding Final Paperwork Packet and your NJ Certification Number status can be directed to melissa.smith@csgrp.com via email only.
Rebate checks are processed in batches and reviewed by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities oversight committee. Checks are mailed within 60 days of the date the batch is approved and submitted for payment.
Please check the appropriate program PAID report prior to contacting the Market Manager team regarding the status of your rebate check.
After waiting 60 days after receiving your NJ Certification Number, questions regarding your rebate check can be directed to tammy.gray@csgrp.com via email only.
6. How do I earn and trade SRECs and RECs?
All solar project owners in New Jersey with electric distribution grid connected generators that have participated in and passed an inspection by New Jersey's Clean Energy Program generate Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs). SRECs are tradable certificates that represent the clean energy benefits of electricity generated from a solar energy system and provide another way for project owners to recover their investment.
Once your renewable energy installation passes inspection and is interconnected with the power grid, you will begin to earn SRECs or RECs. Solar installations earn one SREC per 1,000 kWh of generation for the first 15 years of production. After solar installations have been in production for 15 years, they begin to earn RECs. Learn more about REC and SREC production including metering and monitoring requirements.
Questions regarding the generation and tracking of SRECs can be directed the SREC tracking system administrator, PJM-EIS GATS, at 610-666-2245 or gatsadministrator@pjm-eis.com.