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New Jersey just made plug-in solar panels legal
Electrek • • business
Key Points:
- New Jersey has legalized small, portable solar systems that plug into a standard 120-volt outlet, allowing renters and apartment dwellers to generate electricity without needing a solar-friendly roof or utility approval.
- The Garden State Balcony Solar Act permits plug-in solar systems up to 1,200 watts, which can be installed on balconies, patios, or yards and connect directly to a home’s electrical system.
- These systems do not require permits, interconnection agreements, or extra fees from utilities, and landlords or homeowners associations cannot impose outright bans if tenants pay the electric bill.
- Safety standards include UL 3700 certification and automatic shutdown during power outages to protect utility workers, with smaller systems (400 watts or less) facing fewer installation requirements.
- The law, aimed at expanding affordable solar access and reducing electricity bills, will take effect on March 1, 2027.
