ASSEMBLY ENVIRONMENT AND SOLID WASTE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4397

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 7, 2020

      The Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 4397.

      This bill would allow solar energy providers to construct and install residential solar projects on single-family homes prior to obtaining a construction permit during the duration of the public health emergency caused by COVID-19.  The bill would also allow the residential solar energy projects to proceed prior to obtaining an electric utility's approval for interconnection of the solar system to the electric grid during the COVID-19 emergency. 

      Under the bill, both the construction permit and the approval for interconnection would be required prior to activating the residential solar energy system or connecting it to the electric grid.  As amended by the committee, the costs associated with any modification required by the construction official or electrical subcode official after installation in order to obtain the required permit or by the utility for the interconnection of the system to the electric grid would be the responsibility of the installer of the residential solar energy system.

      As amended and reported by the committee, this bill is identical to Senate Bill No. 2606 as also amended and reported by the committee.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments to the bill provide that the costs associated with any modification required to be made after installation by the construction official or electrical subcode official in order to obtain the required permit or by the utility for the interconnection of the system to the electric grid would be the responsibility of the installer of the residential solar energy system.