New Jersey Passes Garden State Balcony Solar Act: Legislature Votes Unanimously to Become 10th State

By PlugInSolarUS Editorial Team · Published 2026-07-01 · Updated July 2026 · 8 min read

New Jersey's legislature passed the Garden State Balcony Solar Act (S2368/A4836) unanimously on June 30, 2026 — Senate 40-0, Assembly 79-0. NJ becomes the 10th state to pass plug-in solar legislation. At 18.4¢/kWh with 3.5 million households, the bill now awaits Governor Sherrill's signature.

New Jersey Passes Garden State Balcony Solar Act Unanimously

On June 30, 2026, the New Jersey Legislature passed the Garden State Balcony Solar Act (S2368/A4836) with unanimous votes in both chambers — the Assembly voted 79-0-1 and the Senate concurred 40-0. The bill now awaits Governor Mikie Sherrill's signature. When signed, New Jersey will become the 10th US state to pass explicit plug-in solar legislation.

The bill's passage caps a six-month legislative journey that began when S2368 passed the Senate 38-0 in March 2026. After extensive committee work in the Assembly — including referrals to the Telecommunications and Utilities Committee, Public Safety and Preparedness Committee, State and Local Government Committee, and Budget Committee — the bill was amended and passed the full Assembly on June 30. The Senate immediately concurred with the Assembly amendments, clearing the bill for the Governor's desk on the same day.

What the Garden State Balcony Solar Act Does

The legislation creates a legal framework for "portable solar generation devices" in New Jersey, exempting qualifying systems from the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) interconnection requirements that have historically blocked plug-in solar adoption. The bill's core provisions include:

• 1,200W AC output cap: Systems are limited to 1,200 watts of AC output — consistent with the emerging national standard across all 10 states that have passed plug-in solar legislation.
• No utility approval, fees, or notification: PSE&G, JCP&L, and Atlantic City Electric cannot require prior approval, charge additional fees, or even require notification before installation. This is one of the most permissive frameworks in the country.
• UL certification required: Devices must be certified by UL or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory.
• Exempt from interconnection: Qualifying devices are fully exempt from BPU interconnection requirements, eliminating the regulatory barrier that has prevented plug-in solar adoption in New Jersey.

Why New Jersey Matters

New Jersey is a significant addition to the plug-in solar map for several reasons:

With 1.28 million renter households and nearly 850,000 apartment units, New Jersey has one of the largest potential plug-in solar markets on the East Coast. The state's electricity rates — 18.4¢/kWh on average, with TOU spreads reaching 8¢ between peak and off-peak — make the economics compelling. An 800W system on a south-facing balcony can generate approximately 1,094 kWh per year, saving residents roughly $225 annually.

The Legislative Journey

S2368 is the successor to S4982 from the 221st Legislature, which did not receive a floor vote before the session ended. Senator Bob Smith (D-Middlesex), chair of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee, reintroduced the bill in January 2026 with strengthened provisions.

Key milestones:

• January 13, 2026: S2368 introduced in Senate, referred to Environment and Energy Committee
• March 16, 2026: Reported from Senate Committee with amendments
• March 23, 2026: Passed Senate 38-0
• June 4–28, 2026: Assembly committee review and amendments (Telecom, Public Safety, State & Local Gov, Budget)
• June 30, 2026: Assembly passed 79-0-1; Senate concurred 40-0

The bill's title was changed during the Assembly process from "Plug-In Solar Device Consumer Access Act" to the "Garden State Balcony Solar Act" — a rebranding that emphasizes the practical, consumer-friendly nature of the technology.

What Makes NJ's Law Unique

New Jersey's bill stands out among the 10 states that have passed plug-in solar legislation for one key reason: it prohibits utilities from requiring even notification. Most other states — including Maine, Colorado, and Connecticut — allow utilities to require a simple registration or notification form. New Jersey joins Utah as one of only two states where the utility has zero involvement in the process.

Additionally, New Jersey is a fully deregulated electricity market, meaning residents can choose their electricity supplier. This creates an interesting dynamic where plug-in solar competes directly with third-party suppliers — and often wins on cost for peak-hour consumption when paired with battery storage.

The 10 States That Have Passed Plug-In Solar Legislation

What Comes Next

Governor Mikie Sherrill (D) is expected to sign the bill. Sherrill has been a vocal advocate for clean energy and climate action since taking office in January 2026. Her administration has set aggressive renewable energy targets, and plug-in solar aligns with her stated goal of making clean energy accessible to all New Jerseyans — particularly renters and apartment dwellers who have been excluded from traditional solar programs.

Once signed, the law would take effect immediately (no delayed effective date is specified in the bill text). New Jersey residents would be able to:

• Purchase a UL-certified plug-in solar system up to 1,200W
• Self-install on a balcony, patio, porch, or yard
• Plug into a standard 120V outlet without utility approval or notification
• Begin saving immediately — no permits, no fees, no waiting period

Key Quotes

"New Jersey has been a national leader on solar for more than 20 years — this is a big victory for solar. Plug-in solar is a simple concept — solar small enough to plug in but big enough to provide real environmental and bill benefits."

"Plug-in solar has rapidly expanded across Europe and it's time to make it as easy as possible for all residents — renters, apartment dwellers and homeowners — to go green by literally plugging into clean energy."

New Jersey's Existing Solar Incentives

New Jersey already has one of the strongest solar incentive ecosystems in the country. While plug-in solar systems may not qualify for all programs (many require utility interconnection), residents benefit from:

• SuSI SREC-II Program: Fixed incentive payments per MWh of solar generation over 15 years (eligibility for plug-in solar TBD after enactment)
• Sales Tax Exemption: 6.625% sales tax exemption on solar energy systems
• Property Tax Exemption: Solar system value excluded from property tax assessment
• Net Metering: Available through PSE&G, JCP&L, and Atlantic City Electric for registered systems

What This Means for New Jersey Residents

For New Jersey's 1.28 million renter households and 847,000+ apartment dwellers, the Garden State Balcony Solar Act represents a breakthrough. Traditional rooftop solar has been available in New Jersey for decades, but it requires home ownership, a suitable roof, and a significant upfront investment. Plug-in solar changes the equation entirely — a $300–$1,500 system on a balcony or patio can start generating savings from day one.

At 18.4¢/kWh — and with TOU rates reaching 26¢ during peak hours — the payback period for a typical 800W plug-in solar system with battery storage is approximately 4–6 years. After that, the savings are pure return on investment for the 25+ year lifespan of the panels.

References

1. NJ Legislature — S2368 Bill Status
2. Environment New Jersey: Legislature Passes Bill To Expand Clean Energy with Plug-In Solar (June 30, 2026)
3. FDU Poll: Nearly 80% of New Jerseyans Support Plug-In Solar (April 2026)
4. EIA Electric Power Monthly — New Jersey residential electricity rates

Sources

• NJ Legislature — S2368 Bill Status
• Environment New Jersey: Legislature Passes Bill To Expand Clean Energy with Plug-In Solar (June 30, 2026)
• FDU Poll: Nearly 80% of New Jerseyans Support Plug-In Solar (April 2026)
• EIA New Jersey Electricity Data