Utility board would include roadside solar in incentive programs

The Board of Public Utilities would include roadside solar projects in its solar incentive programs. The provision covers solar energy projects on State- or locally owned roadside rights-of-way. Projects must connect to an electric utility’s distribution or transmission system and sit on roadside land owned by the State or a local government. The board would adopt rules within 180 days. The estimate gives no date for when incentives would become available.

The board’s rules would address project siting, review, and installation, and incentivized projects would be permitted uses in every municipality. These provisions apply to roadside solar projects covered by the board’s incentive rules. To the extent possible, the rules would cover project limits and goals, siting restrictions that may be waived, environmental and application criteria, and ways to reduce traffic and land-use impacts. The estimate does not give the full rules for waiving siting restrictions. The board would adopt the rules within 180 days; the estimate gives no other start date.