Atlantic City Electric (ACE) serves approximately 560,000 customers across Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem, and parts of Burlington and Camden counties in South Jersey. ACE is a subsidiary of Exelon — the same parent company as Pepco (DC/Maryland) and Commonwealth Edison (Illinois). If you’re an ACE customer considering solar, here’s what your numbers actually look like.

South Jersey is excellent solar territory. ACE’s service area gets slightly more annual sun hours than North Jersey — the southern counties benefit from a lower latitude and less cloud cover on average. Combined with NJ’s SuSI program and full retail net metering, ACE territory is one of the most financially favorable places in New Jersey to install solar.

What ACE Customers Are Paying Per Kilowatt-Hour

ACE residential customers pay approximately $0.15–$0.19 per kilowatt-hour in 2026. ACE’s rates are generally the lowest of NJ’s three major utilities — lower than PSE&G and slightly lower than JCP&L. That said, “lower” is relative: $0.17/kWh is still well above the national residential average of around $0.13/kWh, and ACE’s rates have risen substantially over the last decade.

For planning purposes, I use $0.16–$0.17/kWh as a blended planning rate for ACE customers. Check your bill for the actual average: divide total charges by total kWh used. ACE’s rate structure includes supply charges, delivery charges, and various riders — the combined per-kWh cost is what matters for solar financial modeling.

How ACE Net Metering Works

ACE offers full retail rate net metering — the same structure as PSE&G and JCP&L. Every kilowatt-hour your solar panels export to the grid is credited to your account at the full retail rate you’d otherwise pay ACE for that power.

Monthly rollover: Net metering credits accumulate month to month. South Jersey summers are strong production months — ACE customers in Atlantic County, Cape May County, and Gloucester County typically build significant credit balances from May through September that offset winter bills.

Annual true-up: ACE settles remaining credits at year-end at the avoided cost rate (roughly $0.06–$0.08/kWh). As with all NJ utilities, right-sizing your system to annual consumption — not to generate large year-end surpluses — is the financially optimal approach.

Fixed charges: ACE charges fixed monthly fees (customer charge, meter charges) that continue regardless of solar production — typically $7–$15/month. This is the minimum bill an ACE solar customer pays in high-production summer months.

Real Numbers: An ACE Customer’s Bill After Solar

I quoted a customer in Egg Harbor Township, Atlantic County, who was paying $185/month to ACE — $2,220/year. She uses approximately 11,500 kWh annually in a three-bedroom ranch. I designed a 9kW system with REC Alpha panels and Enphase microinverters.

What her ACE bill looks like after solar:

• June–August: $7–$12/month (fixed charges; south-facing roof over-produces in South Jersey summers)
• March–May, September–October: $10–$30/month (shoulder seasons, near break-even monthly)
• November–February: $18–$50/month (shorter days, drawing on summer credits)

Annual total after solar: approximately $175–$390/year, down from $2,220. Annual utility savings: $1,830–$2,045.

Plus NJ SuSI SREC-II income: a 9kW system in Atlantic County (excellent sun hours) produces approximately 10,200–11,000 kWh/year, earning 10.2–11.0 SREC-IIs at $85 each — $867–$935/year for 15 years. Total first-year benefit: approximately $2,700–$2,980.

System cost in 2026 for a quality 9kW ACE-territory installation: approximately $23,000–$27,000 (NJ sales tax exempt). Payback: roughly 7.7–10 years.

Why ACE Territory Is Excellent for Solar

South Jersey gets some of the best solar irradiance in the state. The Atlantic coastline and southern inland counties average approximately 4.5–4.7 peak sun hours per day on a south-facing roof — meaningfully better than northern NJ’s 4.1–4.3. That means a 9kW system in Vineland or Mays Landing produces 5–8% more electricity annually than the same system in Morris County.

The practical effect: slightly better payback and slightly more SuSI income per year, all else being equal. ACE’s lower per-kWh rate compared to PSE&G means the utility bill savings are a bit smaller per kWh — but the higher production largely compensates, and the SuSI income is identical regardless of utility.

ACE-Specific Considerations

Coastal and barrier island installations: ACE serves Cape May County, Atlantic County barrier islands, and coastal Gloucester County communities. Saltwater air is corrosive to standard aluminum racking, fasteners, and panel frames over a 25-year system life. For any installation within a few miles of the coast, specify marine-grade or anodized racking hardware. Ask your installer explicitly — don’t assume standard hardware is appropriate for shore-area roofs.

Hurricane and storm exposure: South Jersey sits in a higher storm-impact zone than North Jersey. Solar panels installed to NJ code (designed for 120+ mph wind loads) handle most weather events well. But racking installation quality matters more at the coast. Properly torqued, through-mounted racking on a sound roof structure is essential — any shortcuts in the coastal environment compound over time.

ACE interconnection timeline: ACE interconnection has historically been variable — sometimes faster than JCP&L, sometimes longer, depending on the local substation and grid capacity. Budget 4–8 weeks for ACE interconnection approval. Your installer manages the application process.

Gloucester and Camden County customers: Parts of Gloucester and Camden Counties are ACE territory, though some ZIP codes in those counties are served by PSE&G. Confirm which utility serves your address before assuming your rate structure — the utility territory doesn’t always follow county lines.

ACE vs PSE&G vs JCP&L: What’s Different for Solar

All three NJ utilities offer identical net metering terms (full retail rate, monthly rollover, annual true-up). SuSI SREC-II income is the same $85/SREC-II regardless of utility. The primary financial difference for solar customers is the per-kWh rate:

• PSE&G: ~$0.18–$0.22/kWh — highest rates, strongest utility bill savings per kWh
• JCP&L: ~$0.17–$0.21/kWh — mid-range rates
• ACE: ~$0.15–$0.19/kWh — lowest rates, smaller utility savings per kWh but partly offset by better sun hours

For all three utilities, the SuSI SREC-II income ($850–$1,000/year for a 9–10kW system) is a large and utility-independent component of the total return. The difference in financial returns between an ACE customer and a PSE&G customer is real but smaller than you might expect once SuSI income is included.

Is Solar Worth It for ACE Customers?

Yes — with the caveat that the utility bill savings per kilowatt-hour are slightly smaller than for PSE&G customers, partly offset by better production from South Jersey’s sun hours. The total annual benefit ($2,700–$3,000 for a well-sized system) and the payback period (8–10 years) are very favorable for ACE customers with good solar exposure.

ACE customers in rural Salem and Cumberland Counties sometimes have more roof shading from mature trees — a proper shading analysis before system design is essential. And for coastal ACE customers, racking quality is a non-negotiable factor in long-term system performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can an ACE customer save with solar?

An ACE customer paying $160–$200/month typically sees their bill drop to $7–$25/month after a properly sized solar installation. Annual utility savings: $1,620–$2,100. Adding SuSI SREC-II income of $850–$950/year, total annual benefit runs $2,470–$3,050 for a 9–10kW system in ACE territory.

Is ACE’s net metering the same as PSE&G’s?

Yes — all three NJ major utilities (ACE, PSE&G, JCP&L) operate under the same NJ BPU net metering rules: full retail rate credit, monthly rollover, annual true-up at avoided cost. The per-kWh credit amount differs because each utility’s retail rate differs, but the structure and rules are identical.

Do ACE customers earn SuSI SREC-II certificates?

Yes — SuSI is a statewide NJ program available to all NJ utility customers. ACE, JCP&L, and PSE&G customers all earn $85/SREC-II residential. Your installer registers your system in PJM GATS after installation. Make sure this is a written deliverable in your contract.

How long does ACE interconnection take?

Budget 4–8 weeks for ACE interconnection approval. Timeline varies by substation and local grid capacity. Total time from signed contract to system on: typically 8–14 weeks. Your installer handles all ACE interconnection paperwork — you shouldn’t need to contact ACE directly.

Is solar a good investment for a shore-area ACE customer?

Yes, with the right equipment. South Jersey coastal sun hours are excellent for production. The key additional requirement is marine-grade or anodized racking hardware for corrosion resistance, and a thorough structural assessment if you have an older shore home. Specify these requirements explicitly with any installer you consider.

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How ACE Net Metering Works for South Jersey Solar Owners

Atlantic City Electric’s net metering program follows the same New Jersey framework as PSE&G and JCP&L: full retail credit for exported kWh, monthly rollover, annual true-up. ACE is owned by Exelon/Pepco Holdings and operates in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, and Salem counties — the southern third of New Jersey.

ACE’s current residential electricity rate, blended across supply and delivery, runs approximately $0.16–$0.20/kWh depending on rate class and current supply market conditions. South Jersey supply rates can fluctuate more than PSE&G or JCP&L rates because of ACE’s market structure and the regional wholesale pricing patterns in southern NJ. Your installer should use your actual 12-month average ACE rate for the savings calculation, not a generic statewide number.

One ACE-specific thing to know: Atlantic City Electric has been more aggressive than other NJ utilities in deploying smart meters and TOU pricing options. If you’re in ACE territory and you’re adding battery storage, ask your installer specifically about ACE’s TOU rate structure — the peak/off-peak differential can significantly improve battery economics in ways that flat-rate pricing doesn’t.

South Jersey Solar Production — Different from North Jersey

South Jersey gets slightly more solar radiation annually than central and north Jersey. ACE territory — Cape May, Atlantic, Cumberland, Salem, Gloucester counties — averages around 4.5–4.7 peak sun hours daily, compared to 4.2–4.4 in central NJ. That difference might seem small, but it compounds: a 10 kW system in ACE territory can generate 11,500–12,000 kWh/year versus 10,800–11,200 kWh/year for the same system in Bergen or Morris County.

More production means more SREC income. At $85/SREC-II, an additional 700 kWh/year in production is an additional $59.50 annually, or $892 over the 15-year SuSI program term. For South Jersey homeowners comparing quotes, make sure the production estimate reflects actual ACE territory solar data, not a north-of-Trenton average.

ACE Interconnection Process and Timeline

ACE interconnection is managed through their Smart Grid program. The application process is similar to other NJ utilities but ACE’s service territory includes a mix of suburban and rural areas across South Jersey that can affect timeline. In densely populated Camden, Gloucester, and Burlington county areas with established grid infrastructure, ACE interconnection for standard residential systems typically runs 6–10 weeks. In more rural ACE service areas — parts of Salem, Cumberland, and Cape May counties — the timeline can be longer if the distribution infrastructure requires additional review.

ACE has historically had a reasonably smooth interconnection process for standard residential systems. The main variable is queue volume, which has increased as solar adoption in South Jersey has grown. An installer with regular ACE experience can tell you current wait times based on recent submissions.

The Real Numbers for an ACE Solar Customer

A typical South Jersey home in ACE territory using 9,500 kWh/year. A 9.5 kW solar system generates roughly 11,000–11,400 kWh/year at South Jersey solar irradiance levels — offsetting essentially all annual consumption. At ACE’s blended rate of $0.18/kWh, that’s $1,980–$2,052 in annual electricity savings. Add SuSI SREC income: 11 SRECs/year × $85 = $935/year. Combined first-year benefit: $2,915–$2,987.

System cost for 9.5 kW in South Jersey: $24,700–$28,500. Payback period: approximately 8.5–10 years. No federal tax credit applies — the 30% residential ITC expired December 31, 2025. What remains are the electricity savings and the NJ SuSI SREC program, which are still strong enough to make South Jersey solar a solid financial decision for homeowners who own their systems.

The 25-year financial picture: $2,900/year average combined benefit over 25 years = $72,500 in lifetime value from a $24,700–$28,500 investment. That math holds up well even accounting for panel degradation (0.5% per year typical for quality panels) and the SREC income ending at year 15.

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