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Atlantic City Electric charges approximately $0.22/kWh as of January 2026 — the lowest of NJ's three main utilities. Solar payback is longer than PSE&G territory, but NJ's ADI program at $85.90/MWh for 15 years compensates significantly. 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
22.0¢/kWh
Year-over-Year Change
+14.3%HP Rebate
$1,300
Last verified: 2026-03-02 | Source: ACE tariff filings, NJ BPU, EIA Form 861
Annual Solar Savings (NEM)
$2,112
8kW system at current ACE rates
ADI Income (15 yrs)
~$11,648
$85.90/MWh × 9,040 kWh × 15 years
25-Year Savings
$72,837
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
Understanding what makes up your ACE bill helps you calculate solar savings accurately. NJ's 1:1 net metering credits at the full blended rate.
| Charge Component | Approx. Rate | Solar Offsets? |
|---|---|---|
| Generation / Supply | ~$0.082/kWh | Yes — offset by solar production |
| Transmission | ~$0.028/kWh | Yes — included in net metering credit |
| Distribution (Delivery) | ~$0.072/kWh | NJ NEM credits full retail rate |
| Societal Benefits Charge | ~$0.010/kWh | Partial |
| Taxes & Fees | ~$0.028/kWh | Fixed charges remain |
| Total Blended | ~$0.22/kWh | Net metering at full $0.22 |
ACE rates increased ~23% from 2024 to 2026, tracking the broader NJ utility trend driven by infrastructure investments and wholesale energy market costs.
| Period | Rate ($/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 | $0.2200 | +0.1% | ACE current tariff (NJBPU) |
Trend: Rates Rising Despite Lower Baseline
ACE's $0.22/kWh rate is NJ's lowest, but the trajectory is the same as PSE&G and JCP&L — upward. Exelon (ACE's parent) has announced continued infrastructure investment programs. Analysts project 3–5% annual increases through 2028, which improves future solar payback for ACE customers who go solar now.
ACE customers pay less per kWh but qualify for the highest heat pump rebate in NJ. The ADI solar income program is identical across all three utilities.
| Metric | ACE | PSE&G | JCP&L |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Rate | $0.22/kWh | $0.26/kWh | $0.24/kWh |
| 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 | $85.90/MWh (NJ-wide) | $85.90/MWh | $85.90/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 $0.22/kWh rate is lower than PSE&G, which means utility savings alone are smaller. But NJ's ADI income closes most of the gap, and the tax exemptions apply equally.
NJ's Administratively Determined Incentive pays $85.90/MWh regardless of your utility. An 8kW system earns $777/year in ADI income for 15 years — a total of ~$11,648. For ACE customers, ADI income represents a larger fraction of total solar value than it does for higher-rate PSE&G customers, making it especially important to enroll correctly.
ADI rises to $95.23/MWh for EY2026-27. 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 $0.22 — not a reduced wholesale rate. While lower than PSE&G, the ADI program on top means ACE customers typically see similar total annual returns to JCP&L customers, and the sun shines more in southern NJ (higher production per kW).
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.
Lower rate = longer utility-only payback, but ADI income brings total payback to a competitive range for ACE customers.
| System Size | Gross Cost | NEM Savings/yr | ADI Income/yr | Payback (w/ ADI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $17,700 | $1,584 | $582 | 7.6 yrs |
| 8 kW | $23,600 | $2,112 | $777 | 7.6 yrs |
| 10 kW | $29,500 | $2,640 | $971 | 7.6 yrs |
| 12 kW | $35,400 | $3,168 | $1,165 | 7.6 yrs |
* 1:1 net metering at $0.22/kWh + ADI income $85.90/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 $85.90/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 January 2026, Atlantic City Electric (ACE) charges approximately $0.22/kWh for residential customers. This is the lowest rate of New Jersey's three main utilities — about 15% below PSE&G. The rate includes supply, delivery, and applicable taxes and fees.
Yes — NJ's ADI/SREC-II program makes solar financially compelling regardless of which utility you have. At $85.90/MWh for 15 years, ADI income adds $776/year for an 8kW system on top of net metering savings. Combined payback for ACE customers is typically 10–13 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 ($0.22/kWh). 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.