Sep. 14--A proposal to increase the amount of energy New Jersey gets from the sun, the wind and other renewable sources during the next 15 years could take a step forward today.

The Board of Public Utilities plans a preliminary vote on the plan, which comes at a time when the solar business is soaring in New Jersey, although another potential clean-energy source -- wind power -- remains a contentious issue that divides even environmental groups.

The new rule would require that 20 percent of the energy produced or purchased come from renewable sources by 2020. Of that, at least 2 percent would have to come from solar sources in New Jersey.

The current overall standard is 4 percent renewable by 2008. It was doubled two years ago, and proponents say the higher target, combined with a BPU incentive program, has spurred a solar-industry boom.

"In the past two years, the state has essentially grown a solar industry," said Scott Weiner, director of the Center for Energy, Economic and Environmental Policy at Rutgers University, a research group that was asked to analyze the feasibility of the new standard for the BPU.

As of June, more than 500 new solar-electric systems had been installed at homes, businesses and farms under the program, which has doled out more than $21 million in grants. The grants pay for 70 percent of the cost of installing panels on rooftops, and property owners can further reduce their bills by selling excess power to their energy suppliers.

Adopting a longer-range target, such as the 20 percent goal, would fuel that growth and spur more interest in wind power and other burgeoning technologies, Weiner said. These technologies include hydrogen fuel cells, tapping methane from landfills and using ocean waves to power turbines.

"It would be a signal that New Jersey is committed to a clean energy future," Weiner said. "It would provide a great deal of comfort to investors."

The report by the center predicted the new standard would have a "negligible impact" on New Jersey's economy.

North Jersey's largest power supplier, Public Service Electric and Gas Co., favors the goal of increasing renewable sources but thinks the proposed target is too high, spokeswoman Karen Johnson said.

"Twenty percent may be a stretch in our view," Johnson said. "We think there should be more study of where the power supply is going to come from before we set the target."

But solar companies that have opened shop in New Jersey say the higher goal could be the catalyst for the development of alternative industries.

"This just increases everybody's confidence and makes it easier to secure long-term financing," said Pamela Frank, director of sales and marketing for Sun Farm Network of Flemington, a three-year-old company that credits its existence to the BPU program.

The researchers from Rutgers did not attempt to estimate how much of the 20 percent should be wind, solar or other sources, saying the marketplace would determine the mix. They did recommend that New Jersey give strong consideration to developing offshore wind farms, although critics say the towering turbines needed for this would hurt tourism and aquatic life.

Acting Governor Codey has put a moratorium on the development of offshore wind farms, pending the release of a report from a blue- ribbon commission that is due out in March.

If the board votes to advance the proposed rule, it would be published in the New Jersey Register on Oct. 17 and be subject to a 60-day public review period.

Advocacy groups, such as New Jersey Public Interest Research Group, are hoping the rule will be presented to Codey for his signature before he leaves office, because they think he will support it. A spokesman for the governor said he has taken no official position.