Is balcony solar legal in New Jersey?
Short answer · Signed, starts later
Signed September 1, 2026. New Jersey's Garden State Balcony Solar Act exempts plug-in devices up to 1,200 W from interconnection and metering rules, and stops landlords, HOAs and towns from broadly banning them. Trackers report it takes effect March 1, 2027.
Last checked: · Law: S2368 / A4836 (2026), Garden State Balcony Solar Act
What the law says
| Status | Signed by Governor Sherrill on September 1, 2026 law text |
|---|---|
| In force | Not stated in the Governor's release. Trackers report March 1, 2027 reported |
| Size limit | Qualifying plug-in solar devices of up to 1,200 W law text |
| Utility rules | Exempt from utility interconnection and metering requirements, including certain fees, approvals and equipment mandates law text |
| Landlords / HOAs | Landlords, homeowner associations and similar bodies may not broadly prohibit the devices law text |
| Towns | Municipalities may not prohibit them or require permits law text |
| Certification | Trackers report UL 3700 or a comparable NRTL standard; not in the Governor's release reported |
| Tenant notice | Trackers report at least 14 days' written notice to the landlord / association; not confirmed on an official page reported |
law text = read in the bill, statute or an official government page. reported = from news or a tracker; we could not confirm it in an official source yet.
Where sources disagree
The legislature's bill page loads by script and could not be read; the chapter number and effective date come from a tracker.
Sources
- Office of the Governor: signing release (Sept 1, 2026) official
- NJ Legislature: S2368 official
- PluginSolarUS: New Jersey guide secondary
All sources read on 2026-11-03.
Before you plug in
- Check with your utility whether it wants a notice, and how (the rules above say what it may and may not ask).
- Renting or in an HOA? Read renters & HOAs and ask your landlord or board in writing.
- Buy a kit with a certification you can look up. See certified kits.
- Estimate what it saves in New Jersey: savings calculator.
This page quotes the rule; it is not legal or electrical advice.