The balcony solar revolution is coming to the US, but not everyone has been able to benefit. The nearly 35% of Americans who rent could stand to gain the most from solar, but there is a potential barrier in the way: Their landlords.

cross-posted from: https://beehaw.org/post/27206565

This week, New Jersey became the tenth state to pass a bill allowing residents to purchase small plug-in solar installations, bypassing longstanding utility permitting laws. But the New Jersey bill went one step further, expanding plug-in solar access for renters by prohibiting landlords and homeowners’ associations from blocking them

Really awesome news - now perhaps someday my condo HOA will install some EV chargers…

  • Sina@beehaw.org
    1·
    6 days ago

    I could be wrong, but I think this is barely anything. The potential area to install them in is very limited and more often than not should be less than optimal for panels. I’d be surprised if there were many economically feasible apartments.

    I guess only south facing balconies could be used and surely you are not allowed to shade the area below yours to build a large portruding installation…

    • Midnitte@beehaw.orgOPEnglish
      1·
      6 days ago

      It won’t cover your entire bill, but its very likely to help a lot of people shrink their bill in a state that is experiencing the highest rate of increase, and lower strain on the grid.

      These panels, which can hang off outdoor balconies, aren’t big enough to power an entire home. But they can help shave money off monthly electricity bills, at a drastically lower up-front cost than a rooftop solar system, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars to install.

      The Garden State saw a 17% jump in its electricity rates from 2024 to 2025, the biggest of any state (only beaten out by Washington, DC)

      For a demonstration, the small utility panels we’ve had installed forever in the state help power ~7,500 homes annually.