New Jersey solar 101: must read before you buy solar panels

The US government wants more people to go solar: it’s a modern and green way of getting energy. This is why the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) program was developed. It allows American citizens to claim 30% of the cost of their installation as an income tax deduction. The cost here is not only solar panels, but also shipping, installation expenses and more. For example, if your system overall made you spend $10,000, the government returns you $3,000. To claim the ITC, complete all the necessary forms and submit them when filing your taxes.

Solar laws in New Jersey allow customers of investor-owned utilities and electric cooperatives to join Net Metering programs that can help offset their future bills. Annually you will receive credit on your utility bill at wholesale value from any excess generation. Then, your balance will be zeroed out and a new cycle will begin. 

There are four main electric utilities regulated by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, which offer net metering by state mandate:

• Jersey Central Power & Light
• Atlantic City Electric
• Rockland Electric
• PSE&G

They are all pretty similar to each other, including the same application fees. The interconnection fee is not charged if your solar system size is not more than 10kW (otherwise, you’ll have to pay $50, plus $1/kW of system capacity or $100, plus $2/kW if connection to the grid will require special equipment). They also all have restricted areas for net metering, so some jurisdictions may not be able to connect to the grid. Find contacts of the utilities above and their latest interconnection forms here.

Installing a solar energy system also gives you the possibility to gain Transition Renewable Energy Certificates (TRECs) for each MWh of generated solar power. Unlike with Net Metering, you don’t need to sell any electricity to get credits. There is one platform in New Jersey that allows you to store and sell them: GATS. You have to create an account on its website to be able to transfer TRECs to the TREC Administrator. Homeowners installing residential rooftop or ground-mounted solar panel systems can earn $ 91.20 per TREC. That means if you install a 10kW system that generates 12 MWh each year, you can make about $1,000 yearly by selling your TRECs. Take a look at these detailed FAQs for further information.

New Jersey residents invested in a solar energy system will not have to pay any additional property taxes on the added value they bring to their homes. New Jersey Revised Statutes ensure any new PV system installed will not be part of your property tax. However, any such home improvement will definitely make it about 4% more valuable on the property market, says the 2019 Zillow report. In order to claim the exemption, property owners must apply for a certificate from their local assessor which is able to reduce the assessed value of their property to what it would be without the renewable energy system.

A solar easement contract is a written agreement between you and another party, for example, your neighbor. This type of contract helps to ensure that your PV system will always have adequate sun exposure, protecting you from potential obstacles. It is voluntary, but can not be canceled unless a specific clause is included in the document. Once signed, it is tied to the land, not the owner. Any such agreement must be created in written form and must meet the general requirements for legal contracts.

It is legal to install solar panels on your house in New Jersey. There is statewide legislation that makes it unlawful to restrict the installation of solar PV systems, but it’s best to contact your homeowner’s association (HOAs) to be certain of any regulations that may be in your area. You may have to submit your project for approval before changing the exterior of your house.

Located right on the east coast, New Jersey residents should always be prepared for a hurricane. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy left over 2 million households without power across New Jersey. Utilities were only restored 10 days after the outages leaving 95% of customers without power. Solar panels are manufactured to withstand most hurricanes, so those who had PV systems installed were on the safer side. As stated by the Environmental Protection Agency our climate is changing and natural disasters are becoming more frequent. It means that by powering your home with solar energy, you will no longer have to worry about blackouts.