Solar by State / New Jersey
Data last verified: August 2026Is Solar Worth It in New Jersey in 2026?
The honest answer depends on four numbers that are unique to New Jersey: your electricity rate, your solar production, your net metering policy, and your state incentives. Here are the real figures, with sources and dates.
New Jersey Solar Snapshot (2026)
| Residential electricity rate | 23.3¢/kWh (EIA, 2026 YTD May) |
| Solar production | ~1306 kWh per kW installed per year (NREL PVWatts v8) |
| Net metering | Full retail 1:1 |
| State tax credit | None in 2026 |
| Rebates / performance | SuSI TREC market |
| SREC market | Active — ~$85/MWh (2026 market) |
| Property tax exemption | Yes |
| Sales tax exemption | Yes |
Estimate Your Own Payback in New Jersey
The table above is a 6 kW benchmark. Your home is different — use the Solar ROI Calculator with New Jersey pre-loaded to get your exact payback, or the 30-second worth-it quiz for a go/no-go verdict.
New Jersey FAQ
Does New Jersey have a solar tax credit in 2026?
New Jersey does not offer a state income tax credit for residential solar in 2026. The federal residential credit (Section 25D) expired Dec 31, 2025 and does not apply to 2026 installations.
What is net metering like in New Jersey?
New Jersey uses full retail net metering. This means every exported kWh is credited at your retail rate — the most favorable setup for solar.
Is solar worth it in New Jersey after the federal credit ended?
At a typical 2.95/W installed cost and 23.3¢/kWh electricity, a 6 kW system in New Jersey has an estimated payback of about 6.8 years (rank #1 of 51 states). That is one of the faster paybacks in the country.
Compare New Jersey with Another State
See how New Jersey stacks up against Illinois — or use the state comparison tool for a side-by-side of any two or three states.
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