Plug-in solar in New Jersey
Law passed, not yet in effect Checked November 10, 2026
New Jersey's Garden State Balcony Solar Act takes effect March 1, 2027. It allows plug-in devices up to 1,200 watts per home, certified to UL 3700 or a comparable standard. Tenants who pay their own power bill and condo owners get strong protections against bans.
Effective date: March 1, 2027 (derived from the law's effective-date clause)
The law
| Bill | Stage | Last action | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2368 / A4836 Garden State Balcony Solar Act P.L.2026, c.82 | Signed into law | Approved P.L.2026, c.82 (September 1, 2026) | Signed: September 1, 2026 Effective: March 1, 2027 (derived) |
Derived from the law's effective-date clause: "six months after the date of enactment" (approved September 1, 2026).
The rules
| Rule | What the law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum size (output) | 1,200 W A device has a maximum output of not more than 1,200 watts; combined output per service address (or per dwelling unit in multi-family housing) may not exceed 1,200 watts without an interconnection agreement (Sec. 2(a), 2(f)). | Source |
| Panel (DC) limit | No limit set The law caps output only. | Source |
| Plug-in batteries | Not mentioned in the law The act does not mention batteries. | Source |
| Tell your utility? | No No utility notice requirement appears in the act; utilities may not require approval, fees or extra equipment (Sec. 2(c)). | Source |
| Utility approval needed? | No An electric public utility shall not require prior approval (Sec. 2(c)(1)). | Source |
| Renters and landlords | Tenant protections A landlord may not prohibit a tenant who pays for their own electricity from using a device within the leased premises, including a balcony or patio. Reasonable restrictions are allowed. The tenant gives 14 days' written notice with documentation (Sec. 3). | Source |
| HOAs and condo associations | Bans limited HOAs, condominium and cooperative associations may not enforce bans on devices on the exterior of a unit; they may set reasonable restrictions and require indemnity (Sec. 3(e)-(f)). Municipalities may not prohibit devices or require permits or fees (Sec. 4). | Source |
| Safety certification required | UL 3700 (or comparable) Listed or certified to UL 3700, a comparable standard, or a combination of standards covering plug-in safety and grid-parallel operation, by an NRTL (Sec. 2(a)). Devices of 400 watts or less to the outlet are exempt from provisions requiring alterations (Sec. 2(e)). | Source |
| Net metering | Excluded Devices are exempt from net metering program requirements (Sec. 2(b)(2)). | Source |
What's next
March 1, 2027: the act takes effect (six months after the September 1, 2026 enactment). The Board of Public Utilities may act earlier to prepare.
Kits in New Jersey
| Kit | AC output | UL 3700 | Fit in New Jersey |
|---|---|---|---|
| APsystems EZ1-LV plug-in microinverter | 900 W | Certified (certificate seen), component only | Component certificate only: check with seller certificate |
| Hoymiles HiFlow Pro LV HMS-391-1WM-LV | 391 W | Claimed by maker, not verified | UL 3700 claimed, no certificate seen maker’s claim |
| Hoymiles HiFlow Pro LV HMS-420-1WM-LV | 420 W | Claimed by maker, not verified | UL 3700 claimed, no certificate seen maker’s claim |
| Bright Saver Balcony Solar Kit, 180 W | Not stated | Not certified | Not certified maker’s claim Output not stated, but its panels total 180 W, so it cannot exceed the limit. |
| Bright Saver Balcony Solar Kit, 360 W | Not stated | Not certified | Not certified maker’s claim Output not stated, but its panels total 360 W, so it cannot exceed the limit. |
| EcoFlow STREAM Microinverter | 1,200 W | Unknown | No certification evidence found |
| EcoFlow STREAM Microinverter + 2 x 400W Rigid Solar Panels | 1,200 W | Unknown | No certification evidence found |
| EcoFlow STREAM Ultra | 800 W | Unknown | No certification evidence found |
| CraftStrom 800 Watt Plug&Play Solar | 700 W (estimated) | Unknown | No certification evidence found |
| CraftStrom 1200 Watt Plug&Play Solar | 1,050 W (estimated) | Unknown | No certification evidence found |
What these labels mean
- Component certificate only: check with seller
- This state requires UL 3700 (or complete-system certification). The certificate we have seen covers only one part, such as the inverter, so ask the seller whether the complete kit is certified.
- UL 3700 claimed, no certificate seen
- The maker says the product meets UL 3700, but we have not seen a certificate.
- Not certified
- The maker or seller says it is not certified to the standard this state requires.
- No certification evidence found
- We found no certificate and no claim for the certification this state requires.
What could it save?
For an 800 W panel kit at New Jersey's average residential price of 23.74¢/kWh (September 2025 – August 2026 (12 months)):
- Ideal tilt (20°, south)
- 1,077 kWh a year: about $176 typical (69% used at home), up to $256 best case (100%)
- Vertical railing (90°, south)
- 729 kWh a year: about $119 typical (69% used at home), up to $173 best case (100%)
"Typical" uses HTW Berlin's model for an 800 W system without a battery; exports are assumed to earn nothing. Solar data: NREL PVWatts for Trenton (capital). Try your own numbers · Is it worth it? · Railing vs tilted
Price source: EIA residential average, September 2025 – August 2026 (12 months).
Questions
Is plug-in solar legal in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey's Garden State Balcony Solar Act takes effect March 1, 2027. It allows plug-in devices up to 1,200 watts per home, certified to UL 3700 or a comparable standard. Tenants who pay their own power bill and condo owners get strong protections against bans.
How big can a plug-in solar system be in New Jersey?
A device has a maximum output of not more than 1,200 watts; combined output per service address (or per dwelling unit in multi-family housing) may not exceed 1,200 watts without an interconnection agreement (Sec. 2(a), 2(f)).
Do I have to tell my utility in New Jersey?
No. No utility notice requirement appears in the act; utilities may not require approval, fees or extra equipment (Sec. 2(c)).
Can my landlord stop me from using plug-in solar in New Jersey?
A landlord may not prohibit a tenant who pays for their own electricity from using a device within the leased premises, including a balcony or patio. Reasonable restrictions are allowed. The tenant gives 14 days' written notice with documentation (Sec. 3).
What certification does a kit need in New Jersey?
Listed or certified to UL 3700, a comparable standard, or a combination of standards covering plug-in safety and grid-parallel operation, by an NRTL (Sec. 2(a)). Devices of 400 watts or less to the outlet are exempt from provisions requiring alterations (Sec. 2(e)).
Which kits are confirmed to qualify in New Jersey?
None yet. We have not seen a certificate covering a complete kit, so no kit is marked compatible in New Jersey.
Neighbouring states
- Delaware: Status not yet confirmed
- New York: Bill active
- Pennsylvania: Bill active
Related: is it worth it? · railing vs tilted panels · renters guide · all kits · Certification watch · how we verify
Sources
- New Jersey Legislature: S2368 (2026-2027 session) bill page (Legislature bill page; accessed November 10, 2026)
- S2368 [Third Reprint], Garden State Balcony Solar Act (Law text; accessed November 10, 2026) Final reprint before passage; bill page shows "Approved P.L.2026, c.82" on 9/1/2026. The chapter-law PDF was not yet posted.
Research note: Effective date computed from Section 5: "six months after the date of enactment" (approved September 1, 2026).
This page is general information, not legal or electrical advice. Laws change and utilities differ. Check the linked official sources, your lease or HOA rules, and your utility before you buy or install anything. Full disclaimer.