Fact Check: "New Jersey has the fifth slowest solar permitting timelines in the U.S."
What We Know
New Jersey's solar permitting timelines have been a topic of concern among lawmakers and solar advocates. According to a recent bill proposed in the state legislature, New Jersey currently ranks as the fifth slowest state in the U.S. regarding solar permitting timelines. This information is corroborated by multiple sources, including a report from the Solar Energy Industries Association, which highlights that the bureaucratic inefficiencies in the permitting process can add between $6,000 to $7,000 in costs to residential solar projects. Additionally, approximately 20% of residential solar applications are canceled due to these permitting delays (New Jersey Moves to Fast-Track Residential Solar).
Analysis
The claim that New Jersey has the fifth slowest solar permitting timelines is supported by various credible sources. For instance, a report from PV Magazine explicitly states that New Jersey ranks fifth in terms of slow permitting timelines. This aligns with findings from the proposed legislation that aims to streamline the permitting process by implementing an automated system for plan reviews and permit issuance (New Jersey Moves to Fast-Track Residential Solar).
However, there are some discrepancies in the rankings reported by different sources. For example, a report from Greenhouse Institute indicates that New Jersey has the third slowest permitting timelines as of December 2024. This inconsistency suggests that while New Jersey is certainly among the slowest states for solar permitting, the exact ranking may vary depending on the specific metrics or timeframes considered.
Despite these discrepancies, the consensus remains that New Jersey's permitting process is inefficient compared to other states, which has prompted legislative action to address these issues. The proposed bill aims to create a more efficient permitting system, which could potentially improve New Jersey's standing in future rankings.
Conclusion
The claim that "New Jersey has the fifth slowest solar permitting timelines in the U.S." is True. This assertion is supported by multiple credible sources, including legislative reports and industry analyses, which consistently highlight the state's slow permitting processes and the associated costs. While there may be some variation in the exact ranking, the overall consensus confirms that New Jersey's solar permitting timelines are among the slowest in the nation.
Sources
- Clean Energy | Solar - NJDEP
- Going Green in the Garden State
- New Jersey unanimously passes bill for automated solar ...
- New Jersey Moves to Fast-Track Residential Solar
- Automated solar permitting bill sails through New Jersey ...
- How Smart Permitting Could Accelerate Rooftop Solar in ...
- Understand NJ’s permitting, net metering, and SREC rules ...
- New Jersey Solar Power: 2025 Costs, Incentives & Savings