Plug-In Solar in New Jersey — Legislation Pending
Bill: S 2368 / A 4836 — Garden State Balcony Solar Act
Sponsor: Sen. Bob Smith & Asm. John McKeon
Legislative Status: S 2368 passed Senate 38-0 (March 23, 2026). Assembly passed 79-0-1 (June 30, 2026). Senate concurred with Assembly amendments 40-0 (June 30, 2026). Passed both houses. Awaiting Governor Sherrill's signature.
Current Status: Passed Both Houses · Awaiting Governor Signature (June 2026)
Last Updated: July 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
Exempts certified portable solar generation devices from BPU interconnection requirements. Prohibits utilities from charging extra fees or requiring notification. Requires HOAs and landlords to allow installation.
Law Provisions
| Effective Date | Not specified in bill text |
| Wattage Limit | 1,200 watts |
| UL 3700 | not_mentioned — UL or equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory certification required (UL 3700 not named specifically) |
| HOA Provision | Not addressed in the bill text. |
| Renter Provision | Not explicitly addressed; applies to any "customer" using a portable solar generation device. |
| Utility Approval | Waived (utilities cannot require prior approval, charge fees, or require additional equipment or notification) |
| Permit Required | Not addressed |
| Backfeed/Net Metering | Not explicitly addressed. Device is exempt from interconnection requirements. |
| Key Differences | Passed the NJ Senate 38-0 with unanimous support. S2368 is the carryover of S4982 from the 221st Legislature. Uniquely prohibits utilities from requiring even notification — most other states allow a simple registration form. |
| Notable Omissions | Does not address HOA restrictions or renter rights. Does not address net metering or compensation for excess generation. Does not specify building permit requirements. |
What You Can Do
Once signed: self-install certified plug-in solar devices without utility approval, fees, or notification. HOAs and landlords must allow installation.
What You Can't Do (Yet)
Awaiting Governor's signature. Not yet law. New Jersey utilities currently still require interconnection agreements until signed.
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
- 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)