NJ loosens balcony solar rules to boost DIY plug-in panels

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed the Garden State Balcony Solar Act, easing approval for small plug-in balcony solar panels and letting renters install them with landlords’ reasonable restrictions. These kits can offset 10–25% of a home’s power, cost roughly $400–$2,000, plug into a standard 120V outlet, and are designed for outdoor spaces. New Jersey becomes the ninth state to loosen such rules, with about 200,000 existing installations statewide and ~5 gigawatts of capacity; supporters say the move lowers bills and reduces emissions.