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Governor Corzine Signs Bill to Encourage Solar Panel Use

By: Henry T. Chou, Esq.

The State's goal of transitioning the public's reliance on fossil fuels to renewable energy sources came one step closer to reality when Governor Corzine signed Bill A1558/S2265 into law on March 31, 2009. The bill requires developers of 25 or more homes to offer new home buyers the option of installing solar panel systems. It also requires the Board of Public Utilities to adopt minimum standards of efficiency for solar panel systems installed by developers.

Supporters of the bill believe that it will increase the use of solar panels, which are easier and cheaper to install during the initial development process. Opponents of the bill, including some developers, point out that offering solar panels as an option presents practical difficulties because panels cannot be installed on all types of homes.

It is unclear whether the new solar panel option will catch on immediately in today's depressed real estate market, but the State is clearly planning for the future by giving new home buyers something to think about.

Posted by Henry T. Chou, Esq. on April 6, 2009 12:06 PM |

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Comments

I do not have any comments but i did want to ask, for individuals who want to go "solar" are we able to use battery banks connected to an inverter? In other words, are we limited to using grid type systems or can we use battery bank systems?

Posted by: Brian | August 26, 2009 06:32 PM

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