New Jersey governor signs balcony solar bill to law

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill has signed the Garden State Balcony Solar Act into law, making it legal and easier for residents to use plug-in solar panels. These "balcony solar" devices plug into a standard 120-volt outlet, using a microinverter and adapter to send power directly into a home's existing electrical system and offset regular energy use. They're already sold online and in home improvement stores.

The new law exempts qualifying plug-in solar units up to 1,200 watts from the usual utility interconnection and metering rules, along with certain fees, approvals, and equipment requirements that normally apply to solar installations. It also stops landlords, homeowner associations, and similar groups from broadly banning these devices, and bars towns from prohibiting them or requiring a permit to use one. That matters most for renters and condo or apartment dwellers, who often can't install rooftop solar but could plug in a small panel on a balcony.

The move is part of a broader push by the Sherrill administration to lower energy costs in New Jersey, which has included freezing rate hikes, approving new solar and battery storage projects, and expanding community solar. Supporters, including a balcony solar company executive, say the devices can be installed in about an hour and start cutting electric bills right away. If you live in New Jersey, this law does not create a rebate or payment, but it clears away permitting and approval hurdles that previously stood in the way of using plug-in solar at home.