LEARN ABOUT
Current Projects and Programs
LEARN ABOUT
Current Projects and Programs
North Jersey
RENEWABLE ENERGY
DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
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OLD PAGE - Are you interested in learning if Solar or Wind Energy Installations
are right for your farm or rural business?
Local non-profit North Jersey RC&D has received funding from USDA to provide farms and rural businesses* in northern New Jersey a renewable energy assessment. The program uses only your utility bills, satellite imagery, and weather data (no site visit) to create a renewable energy assessment.
Our program partner, EnSave, will work with farmers and rural businesses to answer any technical questions, help determine the appropriate renewable energy project, and ultimately develop a renewable energy assessment report so that applicants can move forward with confidence. EnSave is an independent third-party qualified consultant with over 30 years of serving agriculture and rural communities with their energy needs.
What is part of the renewable energy assessment:
Renewable Energy Options
Report will outline the type and size of renewable energy installation that is possible on your farm or business site.
Customized Resource Assessment
The report provides an estimate of expected energy generation options given site conditions and climate.
Customized Economic Assessment
For selected project, report will include installation will cost, how much your energy costs should be reduced, and how much income can be earned if your selected project is installed at your site
Information about Funding Opportunities
Next steps will be outlined for applying to get funding to install your renewable energy project through the USDA Rural Development Renewable Energy for America Project, referred to as REAP
sign up
We received another grant so we can offer more consultations and assessments! For this 2023 round, 15-20 farms and rural businesses will be able to participate in this program, and acceptance is on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up now to reserve your spot and EnSave will contact you!
Sheep graze under the 35th Street Solar Array at OSU. (Photo by Mark Floyd, OSU)
who is elIgible
Farmers
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Where the intended installation is in Mercer, Hunterdon, Warren, Sussex, Morris, Somerset or Union counties; and
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At least 50% of gross income is from agricultural operation
rural businesses
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Where the intended installation is in Mercer, Hunterdon, Warren, Sussex, Morris, Somerset or Union counties; and
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Business is located in rural areas or towns outside the urbanized periphery of any city with a population of 50,000 or more. See map to check eligibility.
what is involved
The North Jersey Renewable Energy Development Assistance Program is a simple no-commitment program designed to help farmers and small businesses understand the viability of installing renewable energy projects on their site and learn the pathway to obtain funding for installation.
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STEP ONE: APPLY
Indicate your interest by signing up above; enter your name, address and contact information.
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STEP TWO: PHONE CALL
A representative from Ensave ( program renewable energy consultant) will contact you to ensure you meet program eligibility requirements and answer any questions. The phone conversation takes approximately 30 minutes.
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STEP THREE: OBTAIN UTILITY BILLS
You will need to provide 12-24 months of utility bills ( electric, gas, oil, etc). To simplify the process, you can complete a short release form giving permission for EnSave to obtain the information from your utility providers.
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STEP FOUR: REVIEW REPORT
A renewable energy assessment will be generated outlining options and associated costs and potential savings. Experts will be available to answer any questions you have about the report.
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STEP FIVE (OPTIONAL): APPLY FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING
If you are interested in installing a renewable energy system, opportunities for applying for federal funding will be discussed.
NO COST
Program is funded by a USDA Rural Development grant awarded to North Jersey RC&D to support small-scale implementation of renewable energy.
NO ON-FARM VISIT
Assessment will be based on satellite imagery, regional weather, and your utility bills. There is no on-site evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
ANALYSIS
This program is designed to give you the information you need to make an informed decision. This federally funded program is not tied to any specific vendors.
MINIMAL TIME COMMITMENT
Participants can expect to spend 30 minutes on the phone and will need to submit 12-24 months of utility bills. Typically, participants can complete a short form release to simplify the process of obtaining utility bills.
renewable energy sessions
There is increased investment (up to 50% project cost) for renewable energy projects under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) through USDA Rural Development. Join us on Monday, November 13th at one of two sessions to learn from technical consultant, EnSave, about updates to REAP and no-cost renewable energy assessments for farms and businesses.
Series Dates:
Date: Monday November 13, 2023, 1-2pm
Location: Warren County Habitat for Humanity
Date: Monday November 13, 2023, 7-8pm
Location: Hunterdon County Library
Register via links or below.
View the recording of the 2021 Informational Webinar
North Jersey RC&D hosted an educational webinar with renewable energy experts from EnSave and representatives from NJ SADC. Topics included:
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Agrivoltaics: co-developing the same area of land for both solar photovoltaic power as well as for agriculture.
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Photovoltaic systems that are compatible with and synergistic to NRCS conservation practices
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Considerations for solar on preserved farms (SADC)
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Other on-farm energy solutions including mini-wind turbines, solar thermal systems, and heat pumps.
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No-cost renewable energy assessments.
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Specifics on funding opportunities (including REAP) supporting the installation of renewable energy technologies and how farmers and rural small businesses can apply.
The webinar was held July 1, 2021 from 11:30 to 12:30.
A recording of the webinar is available at:
Slides are available:
Recorded Lunch and Learns:
1) February 10 2023: Update on Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) - Increased Funding and Deadlines
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Recording can be found here: https://youtu.be/bbdmA5v_8I4
2) February 24 2023: Solar Energy for Your Preserved Farm (Including guest presenter Chuck Roohr, SADC)
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Recording can be found here: https://youtu.be/rGQyrJ_PlUA
3) March 3 2023: Potential for Agrivoltaics = Solar + Agriculture
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Recording can be found here: https://youtu.be/Llr4LDsog8M
have questions?
Contact us:
Laura Tessieri, North Jersey RC&D 908-574-5368 ltessieri@northjerseyrcd.org
Margaret Lee, EnSave 800-732-1399
MargaretL@ensave.com
Frank Pinto, Pinto Consulting, LLC 908-303-2059 frank@frankpinto.net
The program is funded by a Rural Energy for America Program Energy Audit & Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grant. This program assists rural small businesses and agricultural producers by conducting and promoting energy audits and providing Renewable Energy Development Assistance (REDA).