The proposed bill, spearheaded by Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak (D-18), Assemblywoman Shama Haider (D-37), and Assemblyman William Spearman (D-5), addresses what lawmakers and advocates describe as outdated and burdensome permitting processes that have historically delayed solar adoption and driven up project costs across the state.
Currently, New Jersey ranks fifth slowest nationwide in terms of solar permitting timelines. These bureaucratic inefficiencies contribute an estimated $6,000 to $7,000 in additional costs per residential solar project, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. Roughly 20% of residential solar applications are reportedly canceled due to the permitting process alone.
The bill seeks to remedy this by mandating the creation of the State Smart Solar Permitting Platform, an internet-based system that will automatically conduct code-compliant plan reviews and issue permits in real-time.
Set to be fully operational within 12 months of enactment, the platform will:
By the 18-month mark, local enforcement agencies must either adopt the State Smart Solar Permitting Platform or implement an equivalent automated system. Fee schedules are also required to be updated within two years to reflect cost savings associated with automation.
Agencies failing to comply may face consequences, including conditional or denied access to certain state funding programs.
The legislation is aligned with global best practices. In Europe, where bureaucratic permitting hurdles have been largely eliminated, residential solar installation costs are about half that of the U.S. This bill positions New Jersey to emulate that success.
Hundreds of jurisdictions across the country, representing about 25% of the national solar market, have already adopted similar automated systems. These jurisdictions have seen reduced installation costs, faster project timelines, and no drop in inspection success rates.
In a state where electricity rates are among the highest in the nation, streamlining solar installations could have tangible benefits for homeowners—both in lowering energy costs and improving housing affordability. This move may also spur contractor participation in municipalities previously avoided due to permitting difficulties.
By accelerating the adoption of rooftop solar and energy storage, the bill not only supports individual homeowners but also reinforces New Jersey’s climate commitments.
