New Jersey greenlights 1,200W plug-in solar as DIY homeowner eyes new project

New Jersey’s legalization of plug-in solar systems up to 1,200 watts is prompting homeowners to test what the new rule means in practice.

In one Reddit thread, a DIY-minded homeowner asked whether panels mounted on a row of unused horse sheds already wired back to the house could feed power through an outlet inside.

Here’s what to know

In a Reddit post about the state’s new allowance, the original poster described outbuildings connected back to the home and asked whether panels on a shed roof could feed electricity through an outlet there.

This was a question about a real property, not a hypothetical. The homeowner already had a possible location and existing wiring and was trying to see whether the updated rule made the idea workable.

In the replies, one user shared the governor’s bill page and said the law seems to allow multiple devices, which could matter on a property with more than one useful structure.

For homeowners weighing whether a 1,200-watt plug-in kit is enough or whether a larger system makes more sense, going solar is one of the best ways to save money on home energy. It can help to try EnergySage to get free solar installation estimates and compare quotes.

More background

The discussion became a test case for the legal change, with a resident trying to apply the new 1,200-watt allowance to an actual home setup.

The OP said the property includes “a large group of old horse sheds (no more horses),” and that electricity from the house already reaches them. That is part of what made the roofs stand out as a logical place for panels.

Instead of planning around a blank site, the homeowner was looking at sheds that are already tied into the home’s electrical system. Their idea was to mount panels on the roof and “plug into an outlet inside the shed,” using space and wiring that were already available.

What can be done?

One sensible starting point before buying equipment is to check what roof space and electrical access you already have. In this case, the New Jersey homeowner had already identified room for panels, a powered shed, and a potential plug-in point, which made the new law relevant.

For homeowners comparing a small plug-in kit with a larger rooftop system, EnergySage’s solar map shows the average cost of a home solar panel system by state, along with details on local incentives. Together, those tools can help homeowners get the best price for rooftop solar panels. With EnergySage’s help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations.

If that New Jersey shed project grows into a fuller home energy system, adding battery storage to a solar setup is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid. Battery storage can also make solar more useful after sunset by letting households keep more of the electricity they generate. Homeowners can explore EnergySage for information about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates.