PHILLIPSBURG—Governor Mikie Sherrill cut the ribbon on a new community solar energy project in this Warren County town on Friday, March 6, 2026. The ceremony came one day after state regulators approved the largest expansion of community solar in New Jersey history.

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities allocated 3,000 megawatts of new community solar capacity on March 5, 2026. The expansion will serve approximately 450,000 subscribers. New Jersey currently ranks seventh nationally in community solar deployment. The 3,000 MW addition will move the state into the "top tier" of programs nationwide.

Sherrill joined Active Solar Development LLC for the ribbon cutting on the former landfill site. The project features 8,000 solar panels serving 100 percent residential subscribers with 25 percent bill discounts. Construction employed 80 union workers including 11 apprentices, paying $1.88 million in wages and benefits.

"When we talk about solar, we're not just talking about clean energy – we're talking about affordability and lower electric bills for working families," Sherrill posted on X following the event. "My Administration is hard at work, lowering utility costs and providing much needed relief to New Jerseyans. To lower prices long-term, we need to increase supply – and that is exactly what this site will do."

The governor took office January 20, 2026 and declared a State of Emergency on utility costs on her first day. She directed the NJBPU to freeze rate hikes and deliver residential bill credits by July 1, 2026. She also ordered the board to expand solar and battery storage, streamline permitting, and address data center load growth.

Community solar allows residents to subscribe to off-site solar generation and receive credits on their utility bills. The new NJBPU rules require at least 51 percent of project capacity to serve low and moderate income households. Those subscribers receive minimum 25 percent bill discounts. General subscribers typically receive 15 to 25 percent credits.

The 3,000 MW expansion is distributed across four electric utilities. Public Service Electric and Gas received 1,555 MW. Jersey Central Power and Light, which serves Phillipsburg, received 787 MW. Atlantic City Electric received 324 MW. Rockland Electric received 51 MW. The board reserved 300 MW specifically for landfill projects.

Projects can register through December 31, 2029 or until capacity is fully subscribed. The program has already generated $70 million in bill credits and $14 million in net savings for 37,000 subscribers across 162 operational projects totaling 228 MW.

NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy stated the expansion builds on a program that has "provided millions of dollars in energy bill credits." The New Jersey Business and Industry Association joined the governor for the ribbon cutting. NJBIA Vice President Ray Cantor said the expansion "will help reduce energy costs for businesses and residents."

The Phillipsburg project demonstrates the administration's strategy of converting former industrial sites to renewable energy. The 8,000-panel installation on a former landfill represents a tenfold increase over the state's current community solar capacity when fully built out.

The NJBPU streamlined permitting processes in response to Sherrill's second executive order. The board also launched a Nuclear Power Task Force to examine preserving existing zero-carbon generation. The community solar expansion represents the most concrete deliverable from Sherrill's early energy agenda.

Sources 

X post @GovSherrillNJ, March 6, 2026 

NJBPU press release, March 5, 2026 

NJBIA website, March 7, 2026 

PIX11, March 7, 2026 

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook, March 6, 2026