New Jersey is one of the most active solar markets in the country. The state has more than 4 GW of operational solar generation, third-highest in the U.S. for solar per capita, and its Community Solar program became permanent in 2023 after a successful pilot that enrolled tens of thousands of subscribers.
If you're a PSE&G, Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), or Orange & Rockland Electric, you almost certainly qualify. Signing up takes under 10 minutes, there's no equipment at your home, no upfront cost, and you can cancel anytime.
What Is Community Solar in New Jersey?
Community Solar in New Jersey is a state-regulated cost savings program administered by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU). It has been running since 2019.
A solar project in your utility territory generates clean electricity and sends it to your local power grid. You subscribe to a “share” of the project and receive credits on your monthly utility bill which reduces what you pay for power.
New Jersey launched its Community Solar pilot in 2019 and made it permanent under the New Jersey Community Solar Energy Program in 2023. The program requires a minimum of 51% of subscribers in each project to be low- and moderate-income (LMI) households, one of the most aggressive equity commitments in any state.
How Does Community Solar Work in New Jersey?
- A solar project is built in your utility territory — from capped landfills in the Meadowlands to farmland in South Jersey.
- You subscribe to a share of a project. Your share is sized to your historic electricity usage.
- The project generates electricity. New Jersey uses a Bill Credit Value (BCV) tariff to translate solar production into monthly credits.
- You receive solar credits on your utility bill. Each month, PSE&G, JCP&L, or Orange & Rockland applies credits.
- You’re left with net savings. Altus Power Community Solar in New Jersey offers 20% guaranteed savings on your solar credits, so 80% goes back to Altus Power and you get to keep the rest. Discounts may vary by Community Solar provider, zip code, and utility zone.
What Stays the Same
- Your current utility provider stays the same.
- Your service, meter, and outage response stay the same.
- Your billing cycle stays the same.
- You can cancel Community Solar anytime with no penalty.
Want to see what's available? Check your New Jersey eligibility.
How Much Can You Save?
Most New Jersey subscribers save 10-20% on the portion of their electricity offset by solar credits. Altus Power offers 20% in New Jersey.
New Jersey participates in Utility Consolidated Billing, meaning your savings are automatically applied to your utility bill and you will not receive a separate invoice for your discounted solar credits from your Community Solar provider.
In real numbers: If you receive $100 in solar credits on your PSE&G, for example, and your discount is 20%, your utility company will apply the full $100 credit to your bill. On another line, you’ll see the credit value adjusted by your discount of 20%. After the adjustment, 80% goes back to your Community Solar provider, and you keep the difference automatically — in this case, $20. (Note: discount rates vary depending on location and utility provider.)
These savings have become even more impactful for electricity customers in New Jersey as rates have climbed sharply since 2023. The 2024 PJM capacity market auction cleared at roughly $270/MW-day (up from under $50 the previous year), feeding into 2025 and 2026 bills with substantial supply rate increases.
Savings by Utility Territory
- PSE&G: Largest utility in New Jersey, serving roughly 2.3 million customers. 10-18% savings typical. Altus Power offers 20%.
- JCP&L: Northern and coastal New Jersey. 10-18% savings typical. Altus Power offers 20%.
- Orange & Rockland: Small territory in Bergen County. 10-18% savings typical. Altus Power offers 20%.
A Typical Jersey City Subscriber
Picture a couple renting a two-bedroom apartment in Jersey City. Through early 2025, their PSE&G bill ran about $175 a month. One afternoon a coworker mentions Community Solar, and they sign up online for a 20% discount on their solar credits and then more or less forget about it.
About three months later, a new line shows up on their PSE&G bill: solar credits worth $32. On another line they see the amount that was sent back to their Community Solar provider — $26. Everything nets out on the one bill so there's no separate invoice to pay, just a lower balance, leaving them with roughly $6 that's deducted from their final cost that month.
Over the course of the year, they saved about $72 with nothing installed and nothing to manage.
And the savings aren’t fixed in place — when PSE&G supply rates climbed again in 2026, the credits were worth more, and the savings grew right along with them.
Who Is Eligible?
- PSE&G: Newark, Jersey City, Elizabeth, New Brunswick, Trenton, and much of North/Central Jersey.
- JCP&L: Morristown, Toms River, Asbury Park, Freehold.
- Orange & Rockland Electric: Small Bergen County territory.
Both renters and homeowners qualify.
Low- and Moderate-Income (LMI) Requirement
New Jersey's Community Solar program requires that at least 51% of subscribers in each project be low- and moderate-income households. This is one of the strongest equity commitments in any state Community Solar program.
LMI eligibility typically ties to household income below 80% of the area median, or participation in qualifying programs like LIHEAP, Universal Service Fund (USF), TANF, SNAP, or Medicaid.
Why New Jersey Is a Leader:
-Policy: The New Jersey Community Solar Energy Program became permanent in 2023.
-Scale: New Jersey has more than 4 GW of total solar operating, third-highest per capita in the U.S.
-Equity focus: The 51% LMI subscriber requirement is the most aggressive in any state program.
-Market maturity: The pilot ran from 2019 to 2023 before being made permanent.
Ready to see what's available? Start with a quick eligibility check.
How to Sign Up
- Check eligibility. Confirm your utility is PSE&G, JCP&L, or Orange & Rockland.
- Pick a project and provider. Altus Power offers Community Solar subscriptions across all four NJ utility territories.
- Gather your info. Recent utility bill and basic contact info.
- Enroll online. Under 10 minutes.
- Wait for activation.
- Watch the credits appear. 2-3 billing cycles.
Can I Cancel If I Move?
Yes, you can usually transfer your Community Solar subscription to your new home if you move within the same utility territory. If you are moving to a different utility or out of state where you are no longer eligible, you can cancel without penalty.
Commercial Solar in New Jersey
While Community Solar serves renters, homeowners, and small businesses, Altus Power also operates commercial solar installations across New Jersey. You can learn more about our commercial offerings here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Community Solar available in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey's Community Solar Energy Program has been permanent since 2023.
How much does Community Solar save in New Jersey?
Most subscribers save 10-20%. LMI subscribers often see 25%+ savings.
Do I need to own a home to subscribe?
No. Both renters and homeowners qualify.
Will Community Solar affect my utility service?
No. Your utility still delivers your electricity.
Is Community Solar a scam?
No. New Jersey's program is state-approved and regulated by the Board of Public Utilities. Altus Power has been in business since 2010 and operates 1.3+ GW of solar across 30 states plus Washington DC.
Can I cancel Community Solar anytime?
With Altus Power, yes. No long-term contract, no cancellation fee.
What's the LMI requirement and do I qualify?
New Jersey requires 51% of subscribers in each project to be low- and moderate-income. Eligibility usually ties to household income below 80% of the area median, or participation in LIHEAP, Universal Service Fund, SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid.
Does Community Solar work in Newark and Jersey City?
Yes. Altus Power Community Solar is available to PSEG customers in both cities.
What about the Jersey Shore?
Yes. Altus Power Community Solar is available to JCP&L customers down the shore.
The Bottom Line
New Jersey has built one of the most equity-focused Community Solar markets in the country. Signup takes under 10 minutes, costs nothing upfront, and can be cancelled anytime.
See Community Solar options available in your New Jersey utility territory →
Altus Power is one of the largest owners and operators of commercial-scale solar in the United States, with 1.3+ GW of operating solar across 30 states and Washington DC. One of the pioneers of Community Solar, Altus serves more than 40,000 subscribers across 9 states including New Jersey. Learn more about Altus Power or explore our Community Solar FAQ.
Interested in getting started with Community Solar?
Reduce your electricity costs and help your community go green with Community Solar.
.png)
