Signed by Governor Mikie Sherrill

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that prohibits landlords from banning solar generation devices in New Jersey.

Highlights:

• Defines "portable solar generation device” as a moveable photovoltaic device with (Sec. 1):

• An output of not more than 1,200 watts; 

• A device that is designed to connect to a building’s electrical system through an outlet;

• A location  on the customer’s side of the electrical meter; and

• Accordance with Underwriters Laboratory standards..

• Prohibits any electric public utility from requiring a customer using a portable solar generation device to (Sec. 2):

• Obtain approval from the electric public utility prior to installation of the device;

• Pay for any fee or charges related to the device; or

• Install any additional controls or equipment beyond what is given with the device.

• Specifies that an electric public utility will not be held liable in a civil action for damage or injury or any overvoltage or power issues related to the portable solar generation device (Sec 2).

• Requires any portable solar generation device to comply with provisions in the most recent versions of the National Electrical Code and the State Uniform Construction Code Act, except for if the device produces less than 400 watts (Sec 2).

• Prohibits the combined maximum power of all portable solar generation devices in a single unit or multi-family house from exceeding 1,200 watts (Sec 2).

• Prohibits any landlord from prohibiting a tenant that pays for their own electrical services to utilize a portable solar generation device on the premises, including a leased balcony or patio (Sec. 3)

• Requires a tenant to provide written notice to the landlord, homeowner’s association, and other entity governing a planned real estate development of the tenant’s usage for a portable solar generation device (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that a tenant will be responsible for any damages sustained to their leased building by a portable solar generation device, and a landlord will not be held liable for any issues related (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that a landlord, homeowner’s association, condominium, or cooperative housing corporation may require a tenant, unit owner, or occupant to be liable for any claims, damages, or losses arising from personal injury or property damages caused by a portable solar generation device (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that this act will take effect 6 months after passage (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text