Overview
- Governor Mikie Sherrill signed the Garden State Balcony Solar Act on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, making portable plug‑in solar devices legal in New Jersey.
- The law lets qualifying systems up to 1,200 watts plug into a standard 120‑volt outlet without utility interconnection agreements, extra fees, or permits for the install itself.
- Devices must meet safety and code rules: units above certain sizes must comply with the National Electrical Code and the State Uniform Construction Code, and most equipment must be listed or certified to the UL 3700 plug‑in PV standard.
- Landlords, homeowner associations, and municipalities may not impose blanket bans on qualifying systems, tenants who pay the electric bill gain installation rights, and owners should not expect net‑metering credits for excess generation.
- The law takes effect March 1, 2027, when the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities is expected to issue implementation guidance, and New Jersey becomes the ninth state to enact plug‑in solar rules as advocates celebrate expanded access for renters and compact‑space households.