The floating solar system will primarily generate electricity for the commission’s water treatment operations, which serve millions of residents in northern New Jersey. Any excess electricity produced by the installation will be sent to the local power grid, providing renewable energy to nearby communities.
The project previously faced obstacles after it was rejected in 2024 because of environmental and safety concerns tied to the reservoir’s location within the Highlands Preservation Area. After revisions and additional 'coordination with regulators', the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approved the project in March 2026 through the state’s Competitive Solar Incentive Program. The development required oversight from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection due to the strict protections governing the Highlands region.
The Wanaque Reservoir provides drinking water for over 2 million residents in northeastern New Jersey, primarily serving Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Passaic, Clifton, Kearny, Montclair, and other parts of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, and Union counties. It is managed by the North Jersey District Water Supply.
What could possibly go wrong?
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