Governor Murphy signs landmark “Smart Solar” permitting legislation to accelerate residential solar adoption
Landmark “Smart Solar” Permitting Law Signed by Governor Murphy
In a decisive move to slash energy costs, empower homeowners, and strengthen the state’s electric grid, Governor Phil Murphy has signed into law the groundbreaking “smart solar” permitting legislation (S4100/A5264). This transformative policy, passed unanimously by both houses of the state legislature, is set to revolutionize the residential solar and energy storage industry in New Jersey.
Modernizing New Jersey’s Solar Infrastructure
The law mandates the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to develop, procure, and deploy a unified, statewide online automated permitting platform dedicated to residential rooftop solar and battery storage systems. The DCA has an 18-month window from the bill’s December signing to make this system operational, a task that will be a priority for the incoming administration of Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill.
Key Feature: Instant Permits
Once implemented, homeowners and installers with code-compliant projects will be able to secure necessary permits in a matter of minutes, bypassing a labyrinth of local delays that have historically plagued the process.
Addressing Systemic Delays
The urgency and necessity of this legislation are underscored by stark data. A comprehensive report released earlier this year by the Regional Plan Association identified New Jersey as having the third-slowest permitting timelines for residential solar projects in the entire United States.
Residential solar installation in New Jersey – processes that will now be significantly accelerated
Industry and Government Response
“After the latest PJM regional electric grid auction, it’s clear we can’t depend on outside help to lower utility bills,” said State Senator John McKeon (D-27), the Senate prime sponsor of the legislation. “Smart solar permitting can bring permitting into the 21st century and reduce costs and burdens on towns and cities.”
“New Jerseyans are embracing rooftop solar and battery storage as a smart way to cut costs and take control of their energy usage,” said Leah Meredith, Mid-Atlantic Director of State Affairs for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). “Smart permitting helps accelerate that transition by removing bureaucratic red tape.”
Proven Success Nationwide
A June 2024 study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that in communities utilizing SolarApp+—the free, federally developed smart permitting platform—the software saved an estimated 15,400 hours of local government staff time in 2023 alone and accelerated the permitting process by an average of 14.5 days per project.
Flexibility with Accountability
Recognizing that some municipalities may wish to maintain their own systems, the law includes an opt-out provision. Local jurisdictions can choose not to use the state-provided DCA platform, but only if they implement a fully automated, comparable alternative that meets or exceeds the state’s standards for speed, safety, and accessibility.
These opting-out communities must submit an annual report to the DCA detailing the number of permit applications processed through their platform and providing documentation that their system fulfills all required criteria, ensuring accountability and continued progress.
