Paterson, NJ Solar Panels

New Jersey’s ADI program pays an incentive based on the solar electricity a qualifying residential system produces. For residential registrations received on or after July 27, 2026, the rate is $77 per megawatt-hour (MWh), with one SREC-II earned for each MWh generated. This is a production-based payment, not an upfront discount on the installation price.

The incentive term is generally 15 years, and available program capacity is limited, so eligibility depends on timely registration and space in the applicable capacity block. Who receives the SREC-II revenue can depend on whether the system is owned, leased, or covered by a power-purchase agreement; homeowners should check their contract and confirm registration status and rate before signing.

New Jersey net metering lets an eligible customer-generator use electricity produced by a solar system and receive utility bill credits when the system sends excess power to the grid. During the annualized billing period, credits generally offset electricity taken from the grid at the applicable retail value; this is a bill-savings policy, not a cash rebate.

Credits remaining at the end of the annualized period are generally settled at the utility’s avoided wholesale power cost, rather than the full retail rate. System sizing, interconnection approval, utility procedures, and the timing of a change in supplier or net-metering anniversary date can affect settlement, so customers should confirm the rules with their electric utility.

Community solar allows a customer to subscribe to a local solar project and receive credits on their electric bill, making it an option for homeowners who cannot or do not want to install rooftop panels. The subscriber pays for the subscription credits under the provider’s terms, and the program requires a guaranteed discount of at least 15% on the portion of the bill covered by the subscription.

The 2026 expansion provides additional project capacity, with registrations accepted through December 31, 2029, or until capacity is subscribed. At least 51% of program capacity is reserved for low- and moderate-income subscribers; the BPU says those households will receive at least a 25% bill-credit discount. Review the subscription agreement for the credit calculation, fees, cancellation terms, and whether the project is an approved program participant.

New Jersey exempts qualifying solar-energy devices and systems from sales and use tax. State guidance includes devices designed to store energy generated by a solar-energy system, so qualifying solar-plus-storage equipment may receive the exemption and lower the equipment cost at purchase.

This is not a blanket exemption for every battery, construction service, roofing job, or other project expense. The equipment must meet the state’s qualifying-device rules, and the exemption should be documented correctly—typically using the applicable exempt-use certificate. Ask the seller or installer to identify which line items qualify and how the exemption will appear on the invoice.

A qualifying solar-energy system may be exempt from the increase in assessed property value attributable to the renewable-energy installation. This can reduce or avoid a property-tax increase that might otherwise result from adding solar equipment; it does not exempt the home’s pre-existing assessed value from property tax.

The system must be certified by the local enforcing agency. Homeowners should apply using Form CRES through their municipal tax assessor and confirm local filing requirements. The exemption generally begins with the tax year after certification, so timing and completion of the local approval process matter.

PSE&G’s GridSmart pilot offers eligible residential customers up to $5,000 toward the purchase and installation of a qualifying new home battery. A battery may be installed with or without solar, but the program is limited to new installations, participating contractors, eligible equipment, and available enrollment capacity.

Participants must allow PSE&G to dispatch the battery during grid-demand events; PSE&G says it will not call events during outages. An optional interest-free on-bill repayment plan of up to $25,000 may help cover remaining project costs, but that amount is financing that must be repaid, not an additional grant. Check the program’s current equipment list, eligibility rules, and terms before proceeding.