Sunwise Energy installs residential and commercial solar across Cape May County, serving Ocean City, the Wildwoods, Cape May, Sea Isle City, Avalon, Stone Harbor, and communities throughout New Jersey’s southernmost county. Atlantic City Electric serves the county at approximately 27 to 30 cents per kWh, among the highest rates in the state. New Jersey’s SuSI incentive program, 1:1 net metering, and full property and sales tax exemptions make Cape May County one of the fastest-payback solar markets in New Jersey.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Utility | Atlantic City Electric (ACE) |
| Rate Trend | Highest in NJ service area: ~27-30 cents/kWh all-in |
| NJ Incentive 1 | SuSI ADI ($85/MWh for 15 years) |
| NJ Incentive 2 | 1:1 retail-rate net metering (ACE) |
| Property Tax | 100% property tax exemption on added solar value |
| Sales Tax | Full sales tax exemption on solar equipment |
| Equipment | Premium panels + microinverters |
| Permitting | Municipal level (16 municipalities; historic district review may apply in Cape May) |
| Installer | Sunwise Energy, in-house crews, licensed in DE/PA/NJ |
Residential, commercial, and battery storage for the Jersey Cape.
Cape May County’s housing ranges from Victorian-era homes in Cape May to mid-century beach houses on the barrier islands and newer suburban construction in Middle and Upper townships. With ACE rates at 27 to 30 cents per kWh, even modest-sized systems deliver significant bill savings using premium panels and microinverters.
Cape May County’s tourism-driven economy includes hotels, restaurants, retail, and seasonal businesses that consume significant energy during peak summer months. Flat-roof commercial buildings are ideal for solar. Business owners can take advantage of the federal Investment Tax Credit (available through July 4, 2026), accelerated depreciation, NJ SuSI payments, and net metering.
Cape May County sits at the end of ACE’s distribution grid, making it more vulnerable to outages during storms and high-demand periods. A battery paired with solar keeps critical systems running when the grid goes down. If your roof needs work first, Sunwise bundles both projects together.
Atlantic City Electric serves all of Cape May County, and residential rates average approximately 27 to 30 cents per kWh, among the highest in New Jersey and well above the state average. The county sits at the geographic end of ACE’s distribution infrastructure, and the utility has acknowledged the need for reliability improvements in the region. With higher rates come faster payback: New Jersey’s SuSI ADI program pays $85 per MWh for 15 years, 1:1 net metering credits excess production at the full retail rate, solar equipment is exempt from NJ sales tax, and the value solar adds to your home is 100 percent exempt from property taxes. New Jersey’s SuSI ADI program, property tax exemption, and sales tax exemption create a structurally stronger incentive stack than Pennsylvania’s, which lacks both tax exemptions. For business owners, the federal Investment Tax Credit remains available through July 4, 2026.
A Sunwise Energy Specialist reviews your Atlantic City Electric billing history, roof condition, and sun exposure to design a system sized to your actual consumption.
We create a custom system design and handle all permitting. Cape May County’s 16 municipalities each manage their own construction office. Sunwise coordinates every submission and inspection, including any historic preservation reviews.
Our in-house crews complete residential systems in less than a day using premium panels and microinverters, handling all electrical work, racking, and wiring to meet New Jersey code
Sunwise coordinates your Atlantic City Electric interconnection and meter swap. Once ACE grants Permission to Operate, your system goes live, producing power, earning net metering credits, and generating SuSI ADI payments.
During your visit, a Sunwise Energy Specialist will:
A consultation is free, pressure-free, and designed to help you understand whether solar truly makes sense for your home.
Cape May County has just 16 municipalities, from the iconic Victorian resort of Cape May to the family beaches of Ocean City and the Wildwoods. With the highest electricity rates in our NJ service area and strong coastal sun exposure, every community in the county is a strong solar candidate.
One of New Jersey's most popular family shore destinations. Ocean City features a mix of year-round homes, vacation properties, and a significant commercial boardwalk district. Coastal sun exposure is excellent, and many homes rebuilt or renovated after Sandy feature newer roofs ideal for solar. Net metering credits generated during high-production summer months carry forward to offset off-season usage.
The nation's oldest seaside resort and a National Historic Landmark District. Cape May features iconic Victorian-era architecture alongside newer residential construction. Homes within the historic district may require preservation review for solar installations, but rear-facing and low-visibility systems are often approved. Properties outside the district follow standard permitting.
The Wildwoods feature a mix of mid-century motels, year-round residences, and newer construction. Both residential and commercial solar opportunities are strong, especially for tourism businesses looking to reduce high summer electricity costs.
A barrier island community with a mix of year-round and seasonal homes. Newer construction and elevated homes provide excellent roof exposure for solar, and the combination of high ACE rates and strong sun makes Sea Isle one of the best solar markets on the Jersey Cape.
Affluent barrier island communities with higher property values, larger homes, and significant energy consumption. Solar economics are particularly strong here due to the combination of high usage, high ACE rates, and NJ's full incentive stack.
The county's most populous municipality, including the communities of Villas, Erma, and Cold Spring. A mix of year-round single-family homes and newer developments, many with strong roof exposure and minimal shading.
The northernmost municipality in the county, with a more rural character, larger properties, and excellent solar exposure. Communities like Marmora, Strathmere, and Seaville offer a range of residential solar opportunity.
The western part of the county, with rural character, larger lots, and fewer shading constraints. Strong solar conditions for homeowners seeking maximum production.
We also provide solar installation throughout the broader New Jersey service area. → View all NJ locations
The cost of a solar system in Cape May County depends on your home’s energy usage, roof size, layout, and complexity, so there is no single price. Cape May County homeowners served by Atlantic City Electric pay some of the highest electricity rates in New Jersey (27 to 30 cents per kWh), which means larger monthly bills and faster solar payback. New Jersey’s incentive stack significantly reduces the effective cost: the SuSI ADI program pays $85 per MWh for 15 years, ACE provides 1:1 net metering, and NJ offers both a property tax exemption and full sales tax exemption. $0-down financing, lease, and PPA options make solar accessible without upfront investment. Commercial property owners can also take advantage of the federal Investment Tax Credit through July 4, 2026. The best way to get an accurate number is to schedule a free consultation with a Sunwise Energy Specialist.
Atlantic City Electric (ACE) is the sole electric utility for all of Cape May County, with all-in residential rates in the range of 27 to 30 cents per kWh, among the highest in New Jersey. ACE supports 1:1 net metering for solar customers at the full retail rate, meaning every excess kilowatt-hour your system produces is credited at the same rate you pay for grid power. Credits roll forward month to month and are reconciled annually.
Cape May County homeowners can access four key New Jersey solar incentives: the SuSI ADI program ($85/MWh for 15 years), 100 percent property tax exemption on added home value, full sales tax exemption on solar equipment, and 1:1 retail-rate net metering from Atlantic City Electric. This incentive stack is structurally stronger than neighboring Pennsylvania’s, which lacks both property tax and sales tax exemptions for solar. With ACE rates at 27 to 30 cents per kWh, the financial return on solar in Cape May County is among the fastest in New Jersey. The federal residential tax credit is no longer available to homeowners. Business owners can claim the federal Investment Tax Credit (Section 48E) through July 4, 2026.
Yes, many shore homes in Cape May County are excellent solar candidates because barrier island communities offer strong sun exposure, minimal tree shading, and newer post-Sandy roof construction. Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Avalon, Stone Harbor, and the Wildwoods all feature coastal homes well suited for solar. Even seasonal properties benefit from net metering, as credits generated during high-production summer months offset winter usage. Sunwise evaluates wind load requirements and any local building restrictions during your consultation.
Battery storage is especially valuable in Cape May County because the county sits at the end of Atlantic City Electric’s distribution infrastructure, making it more vulnerable to outages during nor’easters, tropical storms, and high-demand summer periods. A battery paired with solar keeps your home running during grid outages and allows you to maximize the value of every kilowatt-hour your system produces rather than sending it all to the grid.
Solar can be installed on many historic properties in Cape May, though homes within the designated National Historic Landmark District may require additional review from the local Historic Preservation Commission. In many cases, rear-facing or low-visibility installations are approved. Sunwise works with local preservation authorities and designs systems that respect the property’s character while maximizing production. Homes outside the designated historic district follow standard municipal permitting.
Schedule a free consultation with a Sunwise Energy Specialist. We’ll assess your home, design a custom system, and walk you through your savings with a dedicated in-house team from start to finish.
$0-down financing, loan, and lease options available. NJ's SuSI program ($85/MWh for 15 years), property tax exemption, and sales tax exemption make going solar more affordable than ever.
