TRENTON, N.J. — Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed legislation Tuesday aimed at making portable, plug-in solar panels more accessible to New Jersey residents by removing certain utility, permitting and property restrictions.
The Garden State Balcony Solar Act, S2368/A4836, allows residents to purchase and use qualifying plug-in solar devices to generate electricity for their homes and potentially reduce energy costs.
“From day one, I’ve been laser-focused on driving down energy costs through an all-of-the-above approach, and that includes putting clean, affordable solar power that you can simply plug in directly into the hands of New Jerseyans,” said Governor Sherrill. “Balcony solar is a practical, easy-to-use tool that can help families save money while allowing more people to participate in our clean energy future. This bill cuts unnecessary red tape, expands access to affordable solar power, and proves that affordability and sustainability can go hand in hand.”
Balcony solar devices typically use a microinverter and adapter to plug into a standard 120-volt outlet and provide electricity directly to a home’s existing electrical system, offsetting some of the electricity the household would otherwise draw from the grid.
Under the new law, qualifying plug-in solar devices with a capacity of up to 1,200 watts are exempt from utility interconnection and metering requirements, including certain fees, approvals and equipment mandates. According to the governor’s office, 1,200 watts is roughly equivalent to the power used by a microwave oven.
The law also prevents landlords, homeowners associations and similar entities from broadly prohibiting the devices. Municipalities are barred from prohibiting qualifying plug-in solar devices or requiring permits for their use.
The legislation is the latest component of the Sherrill administration’s energy agenda. During her inaugural address, Sherrill signed executive orders aimed at freezing rate increases and accelerating new energy generation, particularly clean energy projects that can be deployed quickly.
Since then, the administration has approved 18 new solar and battery storage projects and announced an expansion of the state’s community solar program to 3,000 megawatts. Sherrill has also signed legislation addressing energy use by data centers and utility accountability and has moved to accelerate the deployment of advanced electric grid technologies.
The administration estimates its energy initiatives together will save New Jersey ratepayers $1 billion annually.
