By Steve Miller • Building Electrification Team
On June 30, 2026, the NJ Assembly and Senate unanimously passed the Garden State Balcony Solar Act (S2368/A4836), allowing “plug-in” solar. The act is expected to be signed by Gov. Mikie Sherrill and would go into effect six months later.
For $285, you could buy a complete solar system that includes a single solar panel and an inverter, which converts solar to household AC electric. You would simply place your solar panel in the sun, plug it into the nearest 120-volt electrical outlet, and start piping free electricity directly into your home’s electrical system!
Who Can Have Plug-in Solar?
NJ homeowners, renters, or tenants in single and multi-family units who pay their own electrical bill are eligible for these systems. Landlords, homeowners’ associations, condominium associations, housing corporations, and governors of planned real estate developments, can request reasonable solar mounting locations but are not allowed to ban the presence of the panels.
How Much Does It Cost?
The nonprofit company Bright Saver is the first to provide solar balcony kits that are compliant with the UL 3700 photovoltaic safety standard. Two kits are available: a $285, single panel 180-watt system with an inverter, or two 180-watt panels plus inverter (360 watts, total), costing $414 for Bright Saver members and including shipping. (Members pay $29/year and are eligible for discounted purchases of other green products.)
Bright Saver states that a single 180-watt panel can produce up to 270 kWh per year. This provides an annual savings of $54 (assuming 20 cents/kWh electric rate). You can assume $108 in annual savings for a kit of two panels and payback in just four years! Kit prices include the Hoymiles-brand HiFlow Pro microinverter. This was the first US microinverter that met the new UL 3700 safety standard (July 2026), for plug-in balcony solar.
Why Are Bright Saver Prices so Low?
Bright Saver’s mission as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit is to make balcony solar affordable and accessible. Future products are expected to include larger, higher-efficiency panels and a battery.
What Are the Requirements?
A balcony solar system, generating less than 400 watts, can be plugged into any standard 120-volt electric outlet. No alterations of the building wiring would be required. Also, installation would not require permissions or permits from the electric company, or from local and state authorities. However, these solar systems would require compliance with the 2029 National Electrical Code (NEC) and the 2029 NJ Uniform Construction Code.
The Pending Balcony Solar Act
National safety committees are proposing that plug-in solar systems, up to 1200 watts, require possible wiring changes performed by a licensed electrician. The Garden State Balcony Solar Act would exempt solar systems less than 400 watts and allow plug-ins to standard 120-volt electric outlets. The act would allow a single dwelling to connect multiple plug-in systems meeting the 400-watt plug-in requirements; however, the total power of all qualifying systems must be less than 1200 watts. To meet the intent of the 1200-watt safety limit (but not stated in this NJ law), multiple 400-watt qualifying systems must each plug-in to a separate branch circuit served by a separate circuit breaker.
Alternative Suppliers
Two companies that supply the German market for balcony solar, CraftStrom and EcoFlow, are beginning to market in the United States. CraftStrom boasts that their current products incorporate multiple advances in German balcony solar design.
Resources:
Balcony Solar Act: https://shorturl.at/d7wZ8
Potential savings: https://shorturl.at/BhTSe
Balcony solar in other states: https://shorturl.at/nehuI
Balcony solar in other states: https://shorturl.at/nehuI