Public Service Electric & Gas Co. (PSE&G) launched a residential battery storage pilot program on Wednesday, offering customers a $5,000 rebate toward qualifying home battery systems. The initiative, named the GridSmart Battery Program, is designed to enhance grid reliability and provide backup power during outages.
The incentive is part of a broader effort by PSE&G, a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc., to integrate residential battery storage into New Jersey’s energy infrastructure. Customers can also access up to $25,000 in interest-free, on-bill financing to cover remaining installation costs. Participation is open to residential electric customers in the state.
The program operates by allowing home batteries to supply power during scheduled GridSmart Battery Events, which are pre-announced to customers. These events aim to reduce grid stress during peak demand periods. The initiative follows a July directive from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, which initiated a stakeholder process to develop a statewide Virtual Power Plant framework.
Lauren Thomas, PSE&G’s Vice President of Clean Energy Solutions & Customer Solutions, said the program provides customers with a way to improve home resilience while supporting grid reliability. The pilot reflects growing interest in distributed energy resources as utilities explore alternatives to traditional grid upgrades.
