Residential solar in New Jersey.
One of the best Northeast economies for residential solar — full retail net metering plus the Successor Solar Incentive (SuSI) program plus the federal ITC.
New Jersey quietly has some of the best residential solar economics in the country. The combination of full retail net metering, the SuSI per-kWh production payment, and the federal ITC stacks unusually well — even at the latitude.
Why NJ economics work so well
Full retail net metering. PSE&G, JCP&L, and Atlantic City Electric credit excess solar exports at your full retail rate ($0.18–0.22/kWh) — not at a wholesale rate. Your meter effectively runs backward when you're producing more than you're using.
Successor Solar Incentive (SuSI) program. Replaced the old SREC program. Pays a fixed per-kWh payment for 15 years on every kilowatt-hour your system produces, on top of your bill savings. Current rate is $85/MWh for residential — roughly $700–900/year for a typical 7–9 kW system. This payment is in addition to the bill credit you already get from net metering.
Sales tax and property tax exemptions. Solar equipment is exempt from NJ sales tax (saves ~6.6%). The added home value from a solar system is exempt from property tax reassessment.
Federal ITC. 30% of total system cost as a federal tax credit, claimable on your federal return. Available through 2032.
What we'd suggest
For a typical New Jersey premium-suburb household: a 7–9 kW panels-only system. List price $15,000–25,000. After the 30% federal ITC, net $10,500–17,500. Battery is optional in NJ — the full retail net metering means panels-only economics still work well. Add battery only if you want backup power during outages or have time-of-use concerns.
Vetted installers in New Jersey
Garden State Solar Works
Mid-Atlantic Solar Partners
Where solar is harder in New Jersey
Most NJ homes work for solar. The cases where it doesn't:
- Heavily wooded properties in the central and southern counties — full canopy shading kills production.
- Older slate roofs in historic Princeton, Westfield, and Montclair neighborhoods — slate is fragile and not all installers will work on it. Ask specifically.
- Strict HOAs — NJ has some restrictive associations that limit roof-facing installs. Marcus will flag it; the installer will navigate it.
- Renters and condo owners — same as everywhere, the install needs property ownership.