New Jersey residents may soon have a simpler and more accessible way to produce solar energy at home, even if they do not own a house or have access to a rooftop. A new law signed by Gov. Mikie Sherrill is designed to make small plug-in solar systems easier to install on balconies, patios and other residential spaces.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed the Garden State Balcony Solar Act (S2368/A4836) on September 1, opening the door for wider use of small, portable solar panels that can plug directly into a standard household outlet.
In a post on X, Sherrill described balcony solar as a practical way for families to save money while using cleaner energy, saying the new law cuts unnecessary red tape and expands access to affordable solar power.
The systems covered by the law can produce up to 1,200 watts of electricity. Many include a microinverter and adapter and can connect to a standard 120-volt outlet, allowing the electricity they generate to feed into a home’s existing electrical system and offset some household power use.
One of the biggest changes is that qualifying systems will be exempt from several utility interconnection and metering requirements, including certain approvals, fees and equipment mandates. Municipalities will also be prohibited from banning the systems or requiring permits for their use.
The law also limits the ability of landlords, homeowner associations and similar organizations to broadly prohibit residents from using qualifying plug-in solar devices. That could make solar energy more accessible to renters and apartment residents who do not have their own rooftops for conventional solar installations.
Sherrill said the devices could reduce a typical household’s electricity bill by as much as $50 per month, depending on the system and energy use.
The new law is scheduled to take effect six months after its signing.
The measure comes as New Jersey continues to focus on rising energy costs and expanding alternative sources of electricity. Sherrill has made lowering utility bills a central part of her administration’s energy agenda, while also pushing for additional solar generation, battery storage and upgrades to the state’s electrical grid.
Sources: Governor Mikie Sherrill / X, State of New Jersey
By NJ RADAR Team