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Atlantic City Electric charges approximately $0.30/kWh all-in as of June 1, 2026 — now the highest of NJ's three main utilities. That makes solar payback in ACE territory the fastest in NJ, and NJ's ADI program at $85.00/MWh for 15 years stacks on top. ACE also offers NJ's highest heat pump rebate at $1,300.
ACE rate history, solar ROI analysis, and ADI income for 600,000 southern New Jersey customers — including the Jersey Shore communities.
Current Rate
29.7¢/kWh
Year-over-Year Change
+35.1%HP Rebate
$1,300
Last verified: 2026-06-10 | Source: ACE tariff (atlanticcityelectric.com), NJ BPU; historical points EIA Form 861
Annual Solar Savings (NEM)
$2,850
8kW system at current ACE rates
ADI Income (15 yrs)
~$11,526
$85.00/MWh × 9,040 kWh × 15 years
25-Year Savings
$98,296
With 3% annual rate escalation
Atlantic City Electric — a subsidiary of Exelon — serves approximately 600,000 customers across southern New Jersey. The territory includes the Jersey Shore's southernmost communities, the Pine Barrens, and the Delaware Bay shoreline.
Atlantic City, Pleasantville, Egg Harbor Twp, Hammonton
Cape May, Wildwood, Ocean City, Sea Isle City
Salem, Pennsville, Woodstown
Vineland, Millville, Bridgeton
Pemberton, Medford, Mount Holly area
Washington Twp, Glassboro, Woodbury
ACE's all-in residential rate (supply + delivery + customer charge, sales tax included) varies slightly by season under the June 1, 2026 BGS reset. NJ's 1:1 net metering credits at the full blended rate.
| Billing Period | All-In Rate | Solar Offsets? |
|---|---|---|
| Summer months (Jun–Sep) | ~$0.2957/kWh | Yes — NJ NEM credits full retail rate |
| Winter months (Oct–May) | ~$0.2975/kWh | Yes — NJ NEM credits full retail rate |
| Annualized all-in | ~$0.2969/kWh | Net metering at the full blended rate |
ACE rates increased roughly 67% from January 2024 to June 2026 — the steepest climb of any NJ utility — driven by BGS supply auction results, PJM capacity costs, and infrastructure investment.
| Period | Rate ($/kWh) | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-01 | $0.1782 | -- | EIA Form 861 |
| 2024-06 | $0.1845 | +3.5% | EIA Form 861 |
| 2025-01 | $0.1924 | +4.3% | ACE tariff filing (NJBPU) |
| 2025-06 | $0.2198 | +14.2% | ACE rate adjustment (NJBPU) |
| 2026-01 | $0.3100 | +41.0% | Atlantic City Electric RS + Rider BGS all-in (atlanticcityelectric.com), eff Dec 1 2025 |
| 2026-06 | $0.2969 | -4.2% | ACE RS all-in annualized, SUT-incl (summer .2957/winter .2975), BGS eff Jun 1 2026 (atlanticcityelectric.com Tariff Section IV) |
Trend: From NJ's Cheapest to NJ's Most Expensive
ACE went from NJ's lowest rate (~$0.18/kWh in early 2024) to its highest (~$0.30/kWh as of June 2026) in two and a half years. Exelon (ACE's parent) has announced continued infrastructure investment programs, and BGS supply costs remain elevated — which makes solar payback in ACE territory the fastest in NJ for customers who go solar now.
ACE customers now pay the most per kWh in NJ — and also qualify for the highest heat pump rebate. The ADI solar income program is identical across all three utilities.
| Metric | ACE | PSE&G | JCP&L |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Rate (Jun 2026) | ~$0.297/kWh (highest) | ~$0.269/kWh | ~$0.207/kWh (lowest) |
| Service Area | Southern NJ | North/Central NJ | Central/North NJ |
| Customers | 600K | 2.3M | 1.1M |
| HP Rebate | $1,300 (highest) | $900 | $500–$1,000 |
| Solar ADI Rate | $85.00/MWh (NJ-wide) | $85.00/MWh | $85.00/MWh |
| Net Metering | 1:1 retail (NJ law) | 1:1 retail | 1:1 retail |
| Shore Solar Notes | CAFRA, salt air | Some coastal areas | Monmouth/Ocean shore |
ACE's ~$0.30/kWh rate is now the highest in NJ, which means utility savings from solar are the largest of any NJ territory. NJ's ADI income stacks on top, and the tax exemptions apply equally.
NJ's Administratively Determined Incentive pays $85.00/MWh regardless of your utility. An 8kW system earns $768/year in ADI income for 15 years — a total of ~$11,526. Because ACE now has NJ's highest retail rate, ACE customers collect the state's largest net-metering savings and the same ADI income — make sure your installer enrolls your system correctly.
ADI rises to $85.00/MWh. Ensure your installer has ACE-specific ADI enrollment experience — the interconnection and enrollment paperwork must match.
NJ mandates full 1:1 retail net metering through ACE. Every kWh exported earns ~$0.30 — not a reduced wholesale rate. That is the highest net-metering credit in NJ, and the sun shines more in southern NJ (higher production per kW), so per-panel returns in ACE territory now lead the state.
ACE's HVAC Efficiency Program offers $1,300 on eligible central heat pumps and ductless mini-splits — the highest standard rebate of any NJ utility. Income-qualified customers receive an additional $300/measure. Pairing a heat pump with solar is particularly powerful in ACE territory: the heat pump shifts electricity usage to your own solar production.
Cape May, Ocean City, Wildwood, Brigantine, and Atlantic City installations require extra planning. CAFRA permits are required for properties in the coastal zone — add 4–8 weeks to your timeline. Salt-air corrosion is real: request marine-grade mounting hardware and aluminum or stainless fasteners. Historic district properties in Cape May (a National Historic Landmark) face additional aesthetics review for visible roof panels.
Positive offset: southern NJ gets more sun than the north — approximately 4.5–4.8 peak sun hours vs. 4.2–4.5 in northern NJ. Higher production means more net metering credits and more ADI income per installed kW.
NJ's highest rate = NJ's fastest utility-only payback, and ADI income on top shortens it further for ACE customers.
| System Size | Gross Cost | NEM Savings/yr | ADI Income/yr | Payback (w/ ADI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $17,700 | $2,138 | $576 | 6.1 yrs |
| 8 kW | $23,600 | $2,850 | $768 | 6.1 yrs |
| 10 kW | $29,500 | $3,563 | $961 | 6.1 yrs |
| 12 kW | $35,400 | $4,275 | $1,153 | 6.1 yrs |
* 1:1 net metering at ~$0.297/kWh (ACE all-in, Jun 2026) + ADI income $85.00/MWh, minus NJ sales tax exemption. Assumes $2.95/W avg cost, 1,130 kWh/kW/yr (south NJ may be higher). No federal ITC (Section 25D expired December 31, 2025).
ACE's interconnection timeline is similar to other NJ utilities, but shore community properties may face additional CAFRA or municipal permitting steps.
Interconnection Application Submitted
Installer submits to ACE with full system specs, single-line diagram, and equipment docs. Residential systems ≤10 kW typically qualify for simplified review (1–2 weeks).
Municipal Permit (+ CAFRA if Coastal Zone)
Local electrical permit runs in parallel. Shore properties in CAFRA zones require state environmental review — add 4–8 weeks. Check your parcel on the NJ DEP CAFRA viewer.
Utility Technical Review
ACE engineers confirm grid capacity in your area. Most southern NJ circuits have adequate capacity for residential solar without upgrades.
Utility Inspection & Net Meter Install
ACE schedules an inspection and installs a bi-directional meter at no customer cost. This step typically takes 2–3 weeks post-approval.
Permission to Operate (PTO)
PTO issued. Standard ACE timeline: 6–10 weeks. Shore/CAFRA properties: 10–16 weeks. ADI enrollment begins after PTO — verify your installer handles this promptly.
PSE&G vs. JCP&L vs. ACE Solar Rates
Full NJ utility comparison for solar customers
NJ ADI/SREC-II Program Guide
How to earn $85.00/MWh — critical for ACE customers
NJ Solar Panel Cost 2026
Pricing by city and system size across NJ
Shore Solar & Heat Pump Guide
Salt air, CAFRA, and installation best practices
As of June 1, 2026, Atlantic City Electric (ACE) charges approximately $0.30/kWh all-in for residential customers (summer ~$0.296, winter ~$0.298, sales tax included). This is now the highest rate of New Jersey's three main utilities — about 10% above PSE&G (~$0.27) and roughly 43% above JCP&L (~$0.21). The rate includes supply, delivery, and applicable taxes and fees.
Yes — ACE now has the highest residential rate in NJ, which makes solar payback the fastest of any NJ utility territory. Every kWh you produce offsets ~$0.30 of utility cost, and NJ's ADI/SREC-II program adds $85.00/MWh for 15 years (~$768/year for an 8kW system). Combined payback for ACE customers is typically around 6 years; utility savings alone pay the system back in roughly 8.5-9 years. The federal 25D residential ITC expired December 31, 2025.
ACE serves approximately 600,000 customers in southern New Jersey: Atlantic, Cape May, Salem, Cumberland counties, and parts of Burlington, Ocean, and Gloucester counties. Major communities include Atlantic City, Vineland, Millville, Bridgeton, Cape May, Wildwood, Ocean City, and Pleasantville.
Atlantic City Electric offers one of the highest heat pump rebates in NJ — up to $1,300 through its HVAC Efficiency Program for eligible central heat pumps and ductless mini-splits. Income-qualified (LMI) customers can receive an additional $300/measure. This is significantly higher than PSE&G's $900 and JCP&L's $500–$1,000.
ACE participates in New Jersey's statewide 1:1 retail-rate net metering program, just like PSE&G and JCP&L. Every kWh you export earns a full retail credit (~$0.30/kWh as of June 2026). Credits roll over monthly and are trued up annually. You need a bi-directional meter — ACE installs this at no customer charge during interconnection.
Yes. Cape May, Ocean City, Wildwood, and Atlantic City solar installations may require additional permits under CAFRA (Coastal Area Facility Review Act) for properties within the coastal zone. Historic district restrictions apply in Cape May and some Atlantic City neighborhoods. Salt-air corrosion requires marine-grade mounting hardware and more frequent panel inspections (every 3–5 years vs. standard 7–10 years). Use an installer with proven shore experience.
Get a free solar estimate for your ACE account. See your exact savings with ADI income, net metering credits, and NJ tax exemptions — including shore-specific installation considerations.