A bill has unanimously passed the New Jersey legislature that would expedite the permitting process for rooftop solar systems by creating an automated permitting system.
Permitting can be a lengthy and expensive component to installing solar + storage – potentially adding $3,800 to $4,500 to the cost of a typical rooftop solar system in New Jersey. Governor Murphy has legislation on his desk ready for his signature that would help households install solar more efficiently and for a lower price, so they can start saving money on their electricity bill even faster.
Why it’s important
Nearly one in five residential solar projects are cancelled before being installed and installers point to permitting barriers as the number one reason for these cancellations.
With the residential solar and storage tax credits coming to an end at the close of the year, homeowners will be facing higher costs for new solar systems. The automated permitting system will help ease costs on solar installations and allow more families to save money on their utility bills. It will also cut government red tape and help get more clean electrons on the grid faster, which will lead to health benefits and savings for all New Jersey residents.
What this means for your community
Recently passed legislation by the U.S. Congress makes major changes to solar and storage tax credits. It eliminates credits for clean energy more broadly and drowns existing projects in red tape. These changes threaten the job security of 6,000 New Jerseyans employed by the solar industry. S4100 would help eliminate red tape from local government and cut costs at the same time – which benefits everyone in the community.
Our goal
By contacting your legislators, you can add your voice to ensure that New Jersey supports energy policies that include growing solar power and battery storage to strengthen America’s energy independence and security.