New Jersey property owners earn more with community solar rooftop leasing

New Jersey’s expanded community solar legislation unlocks major opportunities for commercial property owners. By leasing your rooftop space to solar developers, you can earn guaranteed rental income, boost property value, and support statewide clean energy goals without any upfront cost or tenant hassle.

A tidy row of low-profile commercial rooftop solar panels on a flat, white membrane roof in suburban New Jersey. Clear winter sky, HVAC units visible in background.

Trusted by the world’s leading real estate owners

At&t logo
Tishman Speyer company logo
Micheals company logo
JP morgan company logo
At&t logo
Micheals company logo
JP morgan company logo
At&t logo
Tishman Speyer company logo
JP morgan company logo

Why New Jersey property owners are turning to community solar

The Garden State has become one of the nation’s leaders in clean energy policy. With the recent community solar expansion, property owners can generate predictable income streams from unused rooftop space while contributing to New Jersey’s impressive carbon reduction goals.

Aerial view of a large, flat commercial building roof in New Jersey fully covered with a crisp array of black-frame solar panels; parking lot and suburban streets below

Benefits of Rooftop Solar Leasing in New Jersey

Guaranteed income
Lock in 20–25 years of guaranteed lease payments, free from market swings, up to $2.40 per square foot annually.
Higher property value
Solar leases can increase asset value 4–10% via contracted cash flows and stronger buyer appeal.
Zero capex, zero opex
Developers cover design, permitting, construction, and O&M — owners incur no upfront cost and simply collect rent.
Tenant co‑benefits
Community solar credits lower tenant utility bills, improving retention and leasing competitiveness.
ESG value
Demonstrable on‑site clean energy supports GRESB/LEED narratives and corporate sustainability goals.
arrow-svg
arrow-svg

Benefits of Rooftop Solar Leasing in New Jersey

Guaranteed income
Lock in 20–25 years of guaranteed lease payments, free from market swings, up to $2.40 per square foot annually.
Higher property value
Solar leases can increase asset value 4–10% via contracted cash flows and stronger buyer appeal.
Zero capex, zero opex
Developers cover design, permitting, construction, and O&M — owners incur no upfront cost and simply collect rent.
Tenant co‑benefits
Community solar credits lower tenant utility bills, improving retention and leasing competitiveness.
ESG value
Demonstrable on‑site clean energy supports GRESB/LEED narratives and corporate sustainability goals.
arrow-svg
arrow-svg

Why New Jersey property owners partner with Lumen Energy

Unlike solar developers, Lumen works exclusively for property owners, sitting on your side of the table and ensuring your returns—not the developer’s—come first. Our team brings deep New Jersey market expertise, with a clear understanding of state regulations, utility programs, and community solar compliance.

We provide portfolio-scale analysis, helping you evaluate dozens of properties at once and uncover the best solar opportunities. Through our network of vetted developers, you gain access to competitive bids that maximize rooftop value. We also offer legal and regulatory support, making it simple to navigate NJ solar policies with confidence.

With a local focus across Newark, Jersey City, Trenton, Camden, and beyond, Lumen Energy ensures you capture every incentive and opportunity available in New Jersey’s solar market.

A sunny, wide-angle drone shot of a New Jersey community solar farm: rows of ground-mount panels stretching across a former brownfield, with a “Community Solar – Open to All NJ Residents” banner in the foreground and the Newark skyline on the horizon.

"Lumen Energy guided us through the new Community Solar program. Our Edison warehouse now generates $50,000 annually while powering local families."

Michael R
Industrial property owner, NJ

"Lumen made the leasing process seamless."

Sarah T
CRE Manager, NJ

"With Lumen’s platform, we quickly assessed multiple rooftops across New Jersey. Solar leasing is now a key revenue driver."

David L
Portfolio Manager, NJ

“Lumen Energy simplified the New Jersey rooftop leasing process and got us the most competitive bids from their network of developers. Their bidding process revealed that the highest bid was 9.25x the smallest bid.”

NJ AM, Nuveen

New Jersey solar incentives for commercial property

Below are some of the incentives developers use as part of financing the project.

NJ Community Solar Energy Program
Guaranteed revenue for 20 years through long-term purchase contracts of SRECs ( valued between $50–$200+ per MWh generated)
Federal ITC
30% tax credit on eligible project costs
Accelerated depreciation (MACRS)
Accelerated cost recovery
arrow-svg
arrow-svg

How it works

Start with a free property assessment using satellite imagery to analyze the the solar potential of your roofs. Get a custom financial analysis with projections for revenue growth, property value increases, and tenant savings. We put your building to bid so you receive competitive offers from pre-vetted rooftop solar developers in NJ. Our experts offer lease negotiation advising to secure optimal terms under NJ community solar rules. Enjoy worry-free installation and ongoing management—developers handle the work while you collect steady revenue.

Infographic-style graphic for  community solar roof top installation in New Jersey

Serving properties across New Jersey

Lumen Energy partners with commercial property owners throughout the Garden State:

Major markets

Newark, Jersey City, Trenton, Camden, Atlantic City

Industrial corridors and hubs

Route 1, Meadowlands, Port Newark-Elizabeth, Camden industrial area

Suburban districts

Not sure if your rooftop qualifies? Contact us for a free evaluation.
A stylized road-map of the greater New Jersey / Mid-Atlantic region (Philadelphia-to-New-York corridor) overlaid with colored circles and call-outs showing community-solar project hotspots and available commercial rooftops for lease.

FAQ

What is NJ’s Community Solar program?
New Jersey regulators established a permanent program called the NJ Community Solar Energy Program (CSEP), a statewide initiative that allows solar benefits to be shared by multiple customers. Property owners lease their rooftops or parking lots; developers build and operate the systems.
What is the difference between rooftop leasing and community solar?
Rooftop leasing is the means by which community solar developers secure space to generate power. Developers rent roof space from property owners to install solar panels, creating the energy supply that serves community solar subscribers.
How much can I earn?
Lease revenue depends on roof size, interconnection costs, utility territory, and market demand. Lumen benchmarks expected lease rates for each property and then puts the property to competitive bid across our pre-vetted network of experienced solar developers. Enter your address here to see how much money your property could make.
Do tenants need to be involved?
Not directly. Developers manage the systems; tenants may receive energy credits as a bonus.
What are eligibility requirements?
Large, structurally suitable, low-shade roofs near available interconnection capacity under NJ utilities are ideal. Industrial, logistics, and big-box retail assets are common hosts.
How does new legislation help?
Expanded community solar capacity, faster interconnections, and more eligible properties mean higher potential returns.
What if I sell my property?
Leases are transferable and often increase property resale value.

Now is the time to capitalize on New Jersey’s solar commitment

With the creation of the permanent community solar program and rising demand for clean energy, your rooftop can become a major revenue driver. Join other NJ property owners already earning six figures annually from solar leasing. To get in touch with our NJ team, email newjersey@getlumen.com.

A New Jersey state legislator (lanyard ID visible) stands at a podium bearing the NJ State Seal, holding up the freshly signed Community Solar Act