All Roll Calls
Yes: 195 • No: 0
New JerseyS2368221st Legislature (2026-2027)SenateWALLET
"Garden State Balcony Solar Act"; exempts portable solar generation devices from certain requirements, and requires certain entities to allow use and installation of portable solar generation devices.**
Sponsored By: Clinton Calabrese (Democratic), Robert J. Karabinchak (Democratic), John F. McKeon (Democratic), Ellen J. Park (Democratic), Bob Smith (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
Households avoid portable solar utility fees
Beginning six months after enactment, utilities cannot require approval, device fees, or separate equipment for qualifying portable solar devices. Users are exempt from interconnection agreements and net metering rules, subject to the combined-output limit. Each movable device must produce no more than 1,200 watts and plug into a standard 120-volt outlet. It must mainly offset the customer's electricity use. It must meet recognized safety standards and prevent power exports during an outage.
Residents avoid town solar placement fees
Effective upon enactment, New Jersey towns cannot ban portable solar devices on residential property. They cannot require permits, applications, fees, licenses, or other approvals just for placing or using a device. Separate building changes and electrical work still must follow applicable codes and municipal permit or inspection rules.
Solar harm claims face utility limits
Beginning six months after enactment, utilities are shielded from civil liability for damage or injury directly caused by customers' portable solar devices. The shield also covers specified voltage, power-quality, or power-flow problems caused by one or more devices, including their combined effects. People harmed in these cases have less ability to recover damages from the utility.
Small solar gets relief and limits
Beginning six months after enactment, portable solar devices must meet product-listing requirements and applicable electrical and construction codes. Devices supplying 400 watts or less to the outlet are exempt from requirements to alter buildings, wiring, or electrical panels. Combined output is capped at 1,200 watts per service address, or per dwelling unit in multifamily housing, unless an interconnection agreement is obtained first. Applicable 2029 National Electrical Code rules apply when added to New Jersey's construction code. The Department of Community Affairs must issue home-wiring guidance covering U.S.-designed devices and home adaptations for devices designed abroad.
Association residents gain solar access with duties
Effective upon enactment, homeowners', condominium, and cooperative associations cannot enforce bans on residents' portable solar use or placement. Conflicting governing-document rules are unenforceable when they prohibit or unreasonably restrict that use. Associations can set reasonable safety-based rules for device size, location, and placement method. They may require residents to cover injury or property-damage claims caused by negligent installation, maintenance, or use.
Renters gain solar rights and duties
Effective upon enactment, landlords cannot ban qualifying portable solar devices in leased homes, balconies, or patios when tenants pay for electricity. Tenants must notify landlords and required governing entities in writing at least 14 days before placement or use, with device documents and location. Landlords can set reasonable size and placement rules for safety and code compliance, and restrict placement outside leased areas. Tenants remain responsible for resulting damage to their homes and may have to cover claims caused by negligent installation, maintenance, or use. Landlords are not liable under this law for habitability or essential-service failures caused by tenants' portable solar use.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Clinton Calabrese
Democratic • House
Robert J. Karabinchak
Democratic • House
John F. McKeon
Democratic • Senate
Ellen J. Park
Democratic • House
Bob Smith
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Rosaura Bagolie
Democratic • House
Ravi S. Bhalla
Democratic • House
Katie Brennan
Democratic • House
Patrick J. Diegnan Jr.
Democratic • Senate
Mitchelle Drulis
Democratic • House
Roy Freiman
Democratic • House
Linda R. Greenstein
Democratic • Senate
Andrew Macurdy
Democratic • House
Chigozie U. Onyema
Democratic • House
Balvir Singh
Democratic • House
Andrew Zwicker
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 6/30/2026
3RDG FINAL PASSAGE
Yes: 79 • No: 0
Senate vote • 6/30/2026
CONCUR ASMB AMEND
Yes: 40 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/23/2026
3RDG FINAL PASSAGE
Yes: 38 • No: 0 • Other: 2
Senate vote • 3/23/2026
3RDG FINAL PASSAGE
Yes: 38 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor: APP
9/1/2026GovernorApproved by Governor — P.L.2026, c.82.
9/1/2026GovernorPassed Senate, PBH — (40-0)
6/30/2026SenateReceived in Senate, 2RSC
6/30/2026SenatePassed Assembly — (79-0-1)
6/30/2026HouseSubstituted for A4836 (2R)
6/30/2026HouseREP/ACA, 2nd Reading in Assembly
6/28/2026HouseRCM Assembly Budget Committee
6/28/2026HouseREP/ACA, 2nd Reading in Assembly
6/23/2026HouseTRANS Assembly State and Local Government Committee
6/23/2026HouseReported, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee
6/4/2026HouseReceived in Assembly, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee
3/23/2026HousePassed Senate — (38-0)
3/23/2026SenateREP/SCA, 2nd Reading in Senate
3/16/2026SenateIntroduced, 1st Reading in Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee
1/13/2026Senate
Bill Text
Assembly Budget (6/28/26 3R)
7/1/2026
Assembly Budget Substitute (6/28/26 2R)
6/29/2026
Assembly State and Local Government (6/23/26 2R)
6/24/2026
Assembly State and Local Government Substitute (6/23/26 1R)
6/24/2026
Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Substitute (6/4/26 1R)
6/5/2026
Senate Environment and Energy (3/16/26 1R)
3/24/2026
Senate Environment and Energy Substitute (3/16/26)
3/17/2026
As Introduced
2/13/2026
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