TOM JOHNSON / NJ SPOTLIGHT – The state Board of Public Utilities is taking an initial step to modernize an aging power grid by trying to speed up the process of connecting new solar-panel systems to distribution systems operated by local utilities.

The current process has been beset by lengthy delays in connecting new solar projects with the power grid. In part that’s because of continuing growth in the sector and also because utilities, particularly in South Jersey, have shut off connections to a large number of their circuits where segments of the system are already at capacity …