New Jersey Passes Legislation to Cut Utility Bills with Plug-In Solar
New Jersey lawmakers passed landmark legislation to expand access to affordable, easy-to-install “plug-in solar” systems to all, including renters and apartment-dwellers, yesterday by a unanimous vote. The Garden State Plug-In Solar Act (S2368/A4836) removes outdated restrictions that have historically blocked plug-in solar, and gives households a practical way to save on energy bills and take part in the clean energy transition.
Plug-in solar panels, which fit on a balcony, patio, or porch, provide a low-cost, accessible option for households to reduce electricity costs and reliance on expensive utility power. The technology is widely popular. An April FDU poll found nearly 80 percent of New Jerseyans support plug-in solar.
“New Jersey must ensure that our energy policies are able to lower costs for our residents, and this law is a direct step toward that goal,” said Senator John McKeon. “Plug-in solar puts clean, affordable energy within reach of every household in the state.”
"The Garden State Balcony Solar Act is a smart, practical step toward expanding access to affordable solar technology for residents who have historically been locked out of solar energy because access was largely limited to those with private rooftops,” said Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese. “Every New Jerseyan deserves the opportunity to choose cost-saving energy solutions."
“Generating clean energy at home is the fastest and most reliable way to protect NJ families from rising energy costs,” said Vote Solar Action Fund’s Senior Regional Director and convener of the NJ Shines Coalition, Elowyn Corby. “Plug-in solar is a simple way to protect families against rising bills, and against the impossible decisions that come with them, like whether to pay for energy or buy groceries. While there’s more work to be done to ensure that all families have access, this is a major step forward for clean energy and affordability in New Jersey.”
"New Jerseyans pay some of the highest electricity rates in the country, but until today the roughly 40 percent of households who rent or live in apartments had no way to do anything about it," said Permit Power Co-Founder and Chief of Advocacy Hannah Birnbaum. "This nation-leading legislation tears down those barriers and is critical to ensure that anyone with an electric bill can plug in solar and start saving.”
“New Jersey has been a national leader on solar for more than 20 years. But as solar has spread across the state, there are still hundreds of thousands of residents who don’t have a way to go solar. Plug-in solar is a simple concept – solar small enough to plug in but big enough to provide real environmental and bill benefits. Plug-in solar has rapidly expanded across Europe and it’s time to make it as easy as possible for all residents to go green by literally plugging into clean energy,” said Doug O’Malley, Director of Environment New Jersey.
“New Jersey families deserve every opportunity to lower their energy bills while building a cleaner, healthier future. By expanding access to plug-in solar, this legislation makes clean energy more affordable and accessible for renters, apartment dwellers, and homeowners alike. It's a commonsense step that puts more power in the hands of New Jersey residents while strengthening our clean energy future," said Allison McLeod, Interim Executive Director, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters.
“Today’s passage of The Garden State Plug-In Solar Act is a great step forward toward expanding access to clean, affordable energy in New Jersey,” said Anjuli Ramos-Busot, Director for the New Jersey Chapter of the Sierra Club. “With this legislation, renters and apartment-dwellers can now plug-in to lower their electric bills and generate more clean power for their surrounding community."
“At a time when New Jersey families are already facing high costs of living and increasing health risks within an unstable energy supply chain, access to reliable and cost-effective clean energy solutions like plug-in solar are more important than ever,” said Ben Haygood, Director, Johnson Center for Learning and Policy at Isles. “This is especially critical for families in overburdened communities like Trenton, who have historically been left out of efforts to expand clean energy access.”
"Waterspirit is proud that NJ's leadership is taking a step in the right direction toward peace through justice via solar energy for all.” said Rachel Dawn Davis, Public Policy & Justice Organizer, Waterspirit. “Plug-in solar will reduce water waste, increase energy affordability and access to the sun’s energy for every NJ resident. We look forward to timely implementation!"
NJ Shines Coalition | https://www.njshines.org/
Vote Solar | https://votesolar.org/