New Jersey Policy
New Jersey Community Solar & Agrivoltaics Policy
Quick Facts — New Jersey Dual-Use Solar
New Jersey, the Garden State, calls agrivoltaics "dual-use" — the practice of using the same land for both solar energy and farming.
The Dual-Use Pilot Program
In 2021, the New Jersey State Legislature passed legislation to establish an agrivoltaics (dual-use) pilot program.
In early 2026, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities opened the first program application for dual-use projects.
Lightstar's Participation
After a 2025 pre-qualification process, Lightstar was invited to submit all 8 of its projects, totaling around 27 MW.
The projects feature a variety of planned agricultural uses — including tomatoes, hay, soy, and native perennials.
Award notifications are expected in August of this year.
New Jersey is opening a new chapter for farming and clean energy. The state's dual-use solar program — its term for agrivoltaics — is now accepting its first project applications. This page explains how the program developed, where it stands today, and how Lightstar is taking part with projects designed to keep land in active agriculture while producing clean power.
In 2021, the New Jersey State Legislature passed legislation to establish an agrivoltaics pilot program, known as dual-use in the Garden State. That law created the framework for pairing solar energy production with working farmland across the state, giving developers and farmers a path to share the same acreage between clean power and crops.
In early 2026, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities opened the first program application for dual-use projects. This milestone moved the program from policy into practice, giving qualified developers their first opportunity to submit projects for the pilot.
The First Application Window Opens
After a 2025 pre-qualification process, Lightstar was invited to submit all 8 of its projects, totaling around 27 MW, with a variety of planned agricultural uses.
These projects are designed to keep land productive. Across the portfolio, our sites will produce:
Tomatoes
Hay
Soy
Native perennials
And more
Lightstar eagerly awaits notification of awards in this pilot program, which are expected in August of this year.
A 2021 Law That Set the Stage
Lightstar's Role in New Jersey
Frequently Asked Questions
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Dual-use is New Jersey's term for agrivoltaics — using the same land for both solar energy production and farming. In 2021, the New Jersey State Legislature passed legislation to establish a dual-use pilot program.
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In early 2026, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities opened the first program application for dual-use projects.
-
After a 2025 pre-qualification process, Lightstar was invited to submit all 8 of its projects, totaling around 27 MW, with a variety of planned agricultural uses.
-
The projects will produce tomatoes, hay, soy, native perennials, and more.
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Award notifications are expected in August of this year.
We update this page as New Jersey's dual-use solar program evolves. Check back for the latest on program decisions, award notifications, and Lightstar's ongoing participation.
Have questions about New Jersey dual-use solar or agrivoltaics policy, or interested in joining our policy advocacy work? Reach out and we'll connect you with the right contact.
Lightstar is a clean energy developer specializing in community solar and agrivoltaics across the United States. Our New Jersey portfolio is designed to support the state's clean energy goals while delivering real benefits to farmers, communities, and the environment.
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