Plug-In Solar in New Jersey — Legal
Bill: S 2368 / A 4836 — Garden State Balcony Solar Act
Sponsor: Sens. John F. McKeon & Bob Smith; Asms. Clinton Calabrese, Ellen J. Park & Robert J. Karabinchak
Legislative Status: Governor Mikie Sherrill signed S2368/A4836 into law on September 1, 2026 as P.L.2026, c.82. The Senate passed S2368 38-0 on March 23; the Assembly passed the amended measure 79-0-1 on June 30; and the Senate concurred 40-0 the same day. The law takes effect March 1, 2027.
Current Status: Signed Into Law — P.L.2026, c.82 (September 1, 2026); effective March 1, 2027
Is Plug-In Solar Legal in New Jersey?
Yes—New Jersey has an enacted statewide pathway for qualifying plug-in solar devices under S 2368 / A 4836. The tracked framework lists a 1,200 watts per service address or dwelling unit limit. Before installing or connecting equipment, confirm current utility or interconnection rules, local code or permit requirements, property or lease conditions, outlet and electrical suitability, and the equipment listing and manufacturer instructions.
After checking today's utility, electrical and property requirements, compare published product options for New Jersey. A product listing is not permission to install.
Last Updated: September 1, 2026
Key Information
| Average Electricity Rate | 18.4¢/kWh |
| Estimated Annual Savings | $225/year |
| TOU Rate Spread | 8¢/kWh |
| Peak Sun Hours/Day | 4.4 |
| Retail Choice | full |
Key Provisions
P.L.2026, c.82 creates a statewide pathway for qualifying portable solar generation devices. It exempts qualifying systems from interconnection agreements and net-metering program requirements, prohibits utility approval and device-related fees, sets product-safety and outage non-export conditions, and establishes landlord, association, and municipal protections subject to statutory requirements.
Law Provisions
| Effective Date | March 1, 2027 (six months after enactment) |
| Wattage Limit | 1,200 watts per service address or dwelling unit |
| UL 3700 | required — Listed or certified under UL 3700, or a comparable standard or combination of standards addressing plug-in PV safety and grid-parallel operation, by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. The device must also prevent export during a power outage. |
| HOA Provision | HOAs, condominium associations, cooperatives, and similar entities cannot enforce blanket prohibitions, but may impose reasonable size, placement, and manner restrictions and may require indemnification for negligent installation, maintenance, or use. |
| Renter Provision | A tenant who is responsible for electric service to the leased premises must give the landlord and applicable association at least 14 days' written notice before placement or use, including compliance documentation and the proposed location. Landlords may impose reasonable placement restrictions and retain specified damage and liability protections. |
| Utility Approval | Waived (utilities cannot require prior approval, device-related fees, or additional controls or equipment) |
| Permit Required | No municipal permit for device placement or use; building modifications, electrical work, and other alterations remain subject to applicable code and permit requirements |
| Backfeed/Net Metering | Exempt from interconnection agreements and net-metering program requirements. The device must include a feature preventing export to the distribution system during a power outage. |
| Key Differences | Signed September 1, 2026 as P.L.2026, c.82 after unanimous Senate and Assembly votes. Devices at or below 400 watts of maximum output to the receptacle are exempt only from product-listing, NEC, or State Uniform Construction Code provisions that would otherwise require alterations to the premises, wiring, or electrical panels. |
| Notable Omissions | The law does not provide net-metering compensation. Implementation remains subject to the product listing, applicable code provisions, property conditions, and the law's March 1, 2027 effective date. |
What You Can Do
Use the enacted framework to plan for qualifying systems, compare products that meet the law's listing and outage non-export requirements, and prepare any required tenant/property documentation before the March 1, 2027 effective date.
What You Can't Do (Yet)
Do not treat the September 1 signature as immediate authorization under the new law. P.L.2026, c.82 takes effect March 1, 2027, and product-listing, code, electrical-work, placement, property, and 14-day tenant-notice conditions still apply.
Available Rebates & Incentives
New Jersey SuSI SREC-II Program provides fixed incentive payments per MWh of solar generation over 15 years. NJ sales tax exemption (6.625%) on solar systems. NJ property tax exemption for solar system added value. The federal 30% ITC (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025.
Incentive Program Links
- New Jersey SuSI / SREC-II Program — NJ Clean Energy — Fixed incentive payments per MWh of solar generation over a 15-year qualification life.
- New Jersey Net Metering — NJ Clean Energy — Earn bill credits for excess solar generation sent to the grid.
- DSIRE — New Jersey Solar Incentives — Full list of New Jersey state and utility solar incentive programs.
Demographics (US Census 2023)
| Population | 9,288,994 |
| Total Households | 3,543,944 |
| Owner-Occupied | 2,257,535 |
| Renter-Occupied | 1,280,922 |
| Single-Family Homes | 1,987,484 |
| Apartment Units (5+) | 847,911 |
| Median Household Income | $104,294 |
| Median Home Value | $454,400 |
Solar Resource Data (NREL PVWatts)
| Peak Sun Hours/Day | 4.76 |
| Optimal Tilt Angle | 40° |
| Optimal Azimuth | Due South (180°) |
| Est. Annual kWh (800W system) | 1094 kWh |
| Best Solar Months | March-August |
Major Utilities
| Utility | Customers | Net Metering |
|---|---|---|
| Jersey Central Power & Light | ~1.1 million customers | Yes |
| PSE&G | ~2.4 million electric customers | Yes |
| Atlantic City Electric | ~560,000 customers | Yes |
News Coverage
- Governor Sherrill Signs the Garden State Balcony Solar Act — Office of Governor Mikie Sherrill (September 1, 2026)
- Behind the Bill: How New Jersey’s Garden State Balcony Solar Act Opens Solar Beyond the Rooftop — PlugInSolarUS (September 2026)
- Legislature Passes Bill To Expand Clean Energy with Plug-In Solar — Environment New Jersey (June 2026)
- New Jersey Passes Legislation to Cut Utility Bills with Plug-In Solar — Sierra Club NJ (July 2026)
- Balcony solar bills in New Hampshire, Vermont, New Jersey, and Illinois look on track to pass — Canary Media (February 2026)
- 28 states and DC could legalize 'balcony solar' — Planetizen (February 2026)
Explore Your Next Steps in New Jersey
Use these tools and guides alongside the state-specific rules above to evaluate your space, potential savings, and the right connection approach.
- Compare every state — Return to the national tracker to compare enacted laws, pending bills, and unclear jurisdictions.
- Check your NJ setup readiness — Review placement, outlet, property, and state-rule questions before choosing equipment.
- Estimate savings in New Jersey — Use your location and setup assumptions to estimate bill savings and storage value.
- New Jersey Garden State Balcony Solar Act Signed Into Law: What P.L.2026, c.82 Means — Read the most relevant PlugInSolarUS article for New Jersey.
- Review plug-in solar safety standards — Understand equipment certification and the safety checks that may apply to a grid-connected setup.