Paterson, NJ Solar Panels

The Successor Solar Incentive (SuSI) Program is New Jersey’s primary solar production incentive. For every 1,000 kWh (1 MWh) of solar energy your system generates, you earn one SREC-II credit. Through the Administratively Determined Incentive (ADI) pathway — which covers virtually all residential systems up to 5 MW — these credits are sold at a fixed, administratively set rate. As of early 2026, the residential ADI rate is approximately $76.50–$90 per MWh (rates are subject to periodic BPU review; confirm the current rate at njcleanenergy.com before signing a contract). Payments are made quarterly for 15 years from your system’s interconnection date.

A typical 7.5 kW residential system in New Jersey generates roughly 9 MWh per year, earning approximately $688–$810 annually in SREC-II payments — totaling over $10,000–$12,000 over the 15-year program term. This income stacks on top of your net metering bill savings and is separate from your utility credits.

To participate, residents of Paterson must register their system through the SuSI Program portal before construction begins. After installation, submit a post-construction packet to receive a NJ Certification Number, open a GATS account to track generation, and register with InClime (the SREC-II Administrator) to receive payments. Visit njcleanenergy.com/renewable-energy/programs/susi-program/ for the current ADI rate and registration portal.

New Jersey’s net metering policy is one of the most favorable in the country. For every kilowatt-hour (kWh) your solar system sends back to the grid, you receive a credit equal to the full retail rate of electricity — approximately $0.26/kWh for most NJ customers, depending on your utility (PSE&G or JCP&L). This means your solar production directly offsets what you would otherwise pay for electricity, maximizing your bill savings. Systems up to 5 MW in capacity are eligible.

Excess credits roll forward month-to-month at full retail value throughout your annual billing cycle. At your annual true-up date, any remaining surplus credits are paid out at the lower wholesale rate (approximately $0.03–$0.05/kWh). Because of this, it’s best to size your system to match — but not significantly exceed — your annual electricity consumption.

Net metering is available through all three major New Jersey investor-owned utilities and is mandated by the NJ Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU). There are ongoing policy discussions about potential future restructuring; systems installed under current rules are expected to be grandfathered. Locking in today’s 1:1 retail-rate net metering terms is a strong reason for homeowners in Paterson to install sooner rather than later. For more information, visit nj.gov/bpu.

New Jersey exempts all solar energy equipment and installation labor from the state’s 6.625% sales and use tax. This exemption applies to the full system cost, including solar panels, inverters, racking hardware, wiring, and the labor to install them. On a typical residential solar system costing around $25,000, this saves homeowners approximately $1,600–$2,200 upfront.

The exemption is automatic — your solar installer applies it at the point of sale, so you do not need to file any paperwork, apply to a program, or claim anything separately. Simply confirm with your installer that the exemption is reflected in your contract and final invoice.

This is a permanent exemption with no expiration date, and it applies to all residential solar installations statewide, including homeowners in Paterson. It is one of the simplest and most immediate financial benefits of going solar in New Jersey. For official details, visit the NJ Division of Taxation at nj.gov/treasury/taxation.

Under N.J.S.A. 54:4-3.113a (P.L. 2008, c.90), the added assessed value that a solar energy system contributes to your home is permanently excluded from your property tax calculation for as long as the system remains on the property. Solar panels typically add meaningful value to a home, but in New Jersey, that added value will never result in a higher property tax bill. There is no expiration date and no 10-year cap on this exemption.

Based on the median home value in New Jersey and the average value solar panels add, this exemption saves a typical homeowner approximately $1,000 per year in property taxes — a benefit that compounds over the lifetime of the system. The exemption applies across all 21 counties statewide, including Passaic County where Paterson is located.

Unlike the sales tax exemption, this benefit is not automatic. After installation, you must file the appropriate documentation (such as Form CRES or equivalent) with your local municipal tax assessor. Requirements may vary slightly by municipality, so Paterson homeowners should contact the local assessor’s office to confirm the exact process. For more information, visit nj.gov/treasury/taxation.

The Community Solar Energy Program (CSEP) is ideal for Paterson residents who cannot install rooftop solar — including renters, condo owners, and homeowners with shaded or unsuitable roofs. By subscribing to a share of a local community solar farm, you receive credits directly on your monthly utility bill for the electricity your subscribed share produces. The program guarantees a minimum bill credit discount of at least 20% for standard subscribers and at least 25% for low-to-moderate income (LMI) subscribers, with typical savings ranging from 10–40% on the electricity portion of your bill.

The program was made permanent in August 2023 and significantly expanded — the NJBPU approved a 3,000 MW total allocation in March 2026, with registrations open through December 31, 2029. Notably, 51% of program capacity is reserved for LMI households, and 300 MW is set aside for landfill and brownfield projects. Community solar facilities receive an incentive of $60 per MWh through the program structure.

There is no equipment to purchase, no installation required, and no roof needed. You simply subscribe to an available project in your utility territory and begin receiving bill credits. To find available community solar projects and subscribe, visit njcleanenergy.com/renewable-energy/programs/susi-program/csep.

The Garden State Energy Storage Program (GSESP) was approved by the NJBPU on June 18, 2025, and is New Jersey’s dedicated incentive program for battery storage systems. Phase 1 focused on large transmission-scale storage (355 MW awarded in March 2026). Phase 2 — the residential and distributed segment — is expected to launch later in 2026 and will provide incentives directly to homeowners and businesses adding battery storage.

Based on the NJBPU Board Order, Phase 2 is anticipated to offer both a Distributed Fixed Incentive (an upfront payment) and a Distributed Performance Incentive (payments tied to grid dispatch performance). Preliminary figures cited in the Board Order suggest incentives in the range of $150–$300 per kW depending on system size, with an additional $50–$100 per kW adder for systems installed in designated overburdened communities. However, official Phase 2 program rules have not yet been published as of early 2026.

This program is specifically designed to fill the gap left by the repeal of the federal Section 25D battery storage tax credit. Do not make a battery purchase decision based solely on installer claims about rebate amounts — verify all figures against the official NJBPU program rules once published. Check njcleanenergy.com/storage for the latest Phase 2 updates and official program documentation before signing any contract.