New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is making a pledge to fight climate change in his 290-page document that outlines the state’s master energy plan. This extensive plan includes electrification initiatives that call for more solar charging vehicles and solar heating buildings. The master plan has a goal of 17 GW of solar by 2035, and given the 3 GW of existing solar, speculations suggest that this goal can be comfortably met by adding just 950 MW of solar each year through 2035 and 400 MW of distributed energy each year through 2030.

By 2050, the governor would like to reach 32 GW of solar, 11 GW of offshore wind and 9 GW of solar battery storage. What do all these numbers look like in the grand scheme of things? New Jersey’s ambitious least-cost clean energy strategy hopes to reach 50% clean energy by 2030 and 100% clean energy by 2050. New Jersey’s master plan is further aiming to slash greenhouse gas emissions, greatly reducing the state’s contribution to climate change.

A least cost strategy was supported and identified through analysis from the Rocky Mountain Institute. The master plan starts New Jersey on a path towards reducing its carbon emissions by 80% and reaching 100% carbon-neutral electrical generation by 2050. In order to meet these goals, future costs of solar and solar storage would have to meet the “low” forecast as stated in the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Annual Technology Baseline. New Jersey’s transportation, electricity and buildings will all have to reduce their emissions significantly in the upcoming years to meet the clean energy targets by 2050.

New Jersey’s Extensive Clean Energy Initiative

Looking at those levels of solar capacity, New Jersey’s current electricity load would double, with electrification of 90% of space and water heating in many buildings as well as must vehicles running on the power of the sun. Governor Murphy called this master plan a way of “weaning the state off its century-old addiction to fossil fuels.”

The energy strategy will cost almost the same as “business as usual”, increasing the energy system spending by only 0.2% of gross state product in the next 30 years and further reducing total costs when you count clean air health benefits and the social cost of carbon. In this strategy scenario, New Jersey is including fossil fuels but making an effort to be zero-carbon biogas and hydrogen by 2050 and beyond.

New Jersey—A State of Firsts

In one of the most important, seven key strategies of Governor Murphy’s master plan, New Jersey state law will now not sign off on a proposed building project if it “does not align with our broader efforts to combat climate change.” says Murphy, further adding “It will either need to be amended, or it will not be approved. In this, New Jersey will lead the nation and set the standard.”

This radical need for change and positive forward movement comes from the challenges the Governor recognizes that the state of New Jersey is imminently facing. With steadily rising sea levels along the Jersey coast and the harmful effects of fossil fuel emissions affecting the health of millions, this master energy plan looks to help abolish some of these challenges. At Intersect Energy, our turnkey energy solutions provide further assistance to the efforts put forth by the state of New Jersey. We offer assessment, design, financing, installation and alternative energy management to commercial and industrial companies who are looking to lessen their carbon footprint. For continued news in renewable energy, make sure to follow us on LinkedIn.

2019 saw an abundance of clean energy dominance in the United States. From 11 states having a 100% commitment or achievement to clean energy to solar and solar battery storage prices becoming more and more affordable throughout the country, clean, renewable energy is here to stay. With that being said, we’re looking to the future. What will 2020 hold? What can we expect from clean energy in the next decade?

Solar+ Decade

SEIA, the national trade association for the U.S. solar industry, announced that the 2020’s would be the Solar+ Decade. Their radical vision predicts that by the end of the decade, solar energy will account for 20% of all U.S. electricity generation. This is an attainable goal thanks to progressions in clean energy sources and solar storage systems.

If successful, not only will this initiative be great for the environment, it will also bring about new job opportunities, cleaner air, lower energy bills, better health and add billions of dollars back into the United States economy. With solar popularity soaring, prices will continue to fall, and SEIA predicts solar installations will hit a record high of 19 gigawatts this year, enough to power over 3 million homes.

Policy Change

For this vision to become a reality, Congress and the White House will need to create pro-solar policies and put an end to solar tariffs. Tax policies will need to be updated and trade laws must propel growth. State policies must continue with their forward momentum—carving out specific renewable standards that create opportunities for all forms of solar generation.

A recent financial sector survey states that between now and 2030, the U.S. private investment in renewable energy could reach up to $1 trillion. Achieving this would greatly help with renewable growth, promoting technologies like storage systems, modernized transmission systems and the deployment of pollution-free renewable power.

End of an Era for Coal and Natural Gas

More than half of today’s electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels. But, since 2010, we have seen a rapid decline in the use of coal, with over 500 coal-fired power units closing. We see this decline continue into the future as renewable energy has been beating coal on cost in parts all over the country. In 2018, 74% of U.S. coal plants were more expensive than renewables, with coal generation falling 18%.

2020 and beyond will also hope to see the demise of natural gas. Causing the unnecessary heating of our planet, carbon pollution and harmful health factors, the need to stop burning gas has never been greater. Gas has now replaced coal as being among the largest source of carbon pollution in many parts of the country. Most gas is burned in areas that are densely populated. Because policymakers are concerned about dirty air and clean energy is now cheaper than gas, many cities are banning the use of gas in new construction.

The road may be rocky and cluttered with obstructions, but we believe the solar industry will expand exponentially this decade. While ambitious, the goal of 20% clean energy generation is achievable. At Intersect Energy, our goals align with SEIA. We believe our solar development projects can help to maximize the economic benefits for our clients. Let’s continue this forward progression into the future. For all your green energy needs, look to the professionals at Intersect Energy. To keep up with all the latest news in renewable energy, make sure to follow us on LinkedIn.