New Jersey has recently legalized affordable plug-in solar panels for balconies.

      New Jersey has legalized plug-in balcony solar systems up to 1,200W, prohibiting local governments from imposing approval requirements and preventing landlords from obstructing installations. Germany incorporated a similar provision into its civil code in October 2024 and currently has 1.31 million registered systems amounting to 1.34GW.

      This week, Governor Mikie Sherrill signed the law that allows plug-in balcony solar, which prohibits municipalities and landlords from hindering the use of portable panels that connect to household sockets, as reported by InsideEVs. The law will be implemented in six months and limits system capacity to 1,200W. The solar panels operate through an inverter that ceases to supply power to the grid during outages, ensuring safety for line workers.

      According to the governor’s office, local governments can no longer mandate licensing or approval processes. Landlords must be informed 14 days in advance, although they retain the right to impose restrictions on the installation's placement and size.

      The rationale is cost savings on electricity bills. Sherrill mentioned that these units are significantly less expensive than traditional rooftop solar and can reduce monthly bills by up to $50, especially as electricity rates continue to rise statewide. The legislation passed unanimously in both legislative chambers in June. Approximately 40% of New Jersey residents rent or live in apartments and have traditionally lacked options for reducing their electricity costs, according to the advocacy group Permit Power.

      Germany resolved this issue two years ago, as its market had already commenced without a formal regulation. Since October 2024, tenants and condominium owners have had the legal right to install such systems, as stipulated in the civil code and condominium act. Landlords must provide documented reasons for any refusals.

      German landlords do not require professional installation, whereas New Jersey retains authority over the placement and size of installations, and both regions necessitate written notification.

      The relative scale of the markets differs significantly; as of April, Germany reported 1.31 million registered systems with a capacity of 1.34GW, and it is believed that the registration process captures only a fraction of the actual installations.

      The power output limits also vary; Germany has a cap of 800W for inverters versus 2,000W for modules, with 85% to 89% of new systems operating at the 800W limit. In contrast, New Jersey’s cap of 1,200W is 50% higher. Companies in Berlin have been constructing solar systems for renters using the lower figure for years.

      However, the German market that is being emulated is showing signs of cooling; installations decreased by 14% year-on-year in the first quarter, falling from 88,948 to 64,633.

      The UK also legalized plug-in kits just a week earlier, on August 27, with costs around £400 for potential savings of £70 to £110 annually.