After Connecticut Governor Legalizes Balcony Solar, Momentum Builds For Gov. Hochul To Sign SUNNY Act

ALBANY, NY (06/08/2026) (readMedia)-- Last week, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed HB 5340, legislation to allow balcony solar panels and open the door for more households and businesses to embrace affordable renewable power. The law mirrors New York's Solar Up Now New York (SUNNY) Act (A.9111C/S.8512C), which the Legislature passed last week. New Yorkers are now waiting for Governor Hochul to sign the SUNNY Act into law!

"Our neighbors in Connecticut will now be able to access affordable, clean, solar power in their own homes and there's no reason New Yorkers shouldn't be able to do the same. But in order to start plugging in solar panels from Brooklyn to Buffalo, we need Governor Hochul's signature on the SUNNY Act. Summer weather is already bringing higher electric bills, which is why the Governor needs to act now so we can start lowering energy costs and cutting pollution at the same time," said Priya Mulgaonkar, Director of the Green Co-op Council.

The SUNNY Act will remove red tape and legalize "balcony solar," the small, plug-in solar panels that everyday families can use to lower their energy bills and generate renewable energy. If Governor Hochul signs the bill, the law will bring New York State in line with other states including Utah, Connecticut, Maryland, Maine, Virginia, Colorado, and New Hampshire that have all passed similar bills in the last year, and will enable all New Yorkers to start generating their own clean, affordable power simply by plugging in eligible solar panels that can be purchased online or at a store.

ABOUT THE SUNNY ACT

The SUNNY Act would exempt plug-in solar panels from existing interconnection and net metering requirements and help make solar generation available to millions of New Yorkers who cannot currently install rooftop solar in their own homes. Plug-in solar bills have become law in Utah, Maine, Virginia and Colorado, and legislation awaits the governor's signature in Maryland. Legislation has been introduced in 30 other states.

Plug-in solar panels are small, portable solar panels that allow individuals to generate renewable energy by connecting to a standard household outlet or power source. These solar panels are becoming much more popular, especially as New Yorkers search for ways to help lower record-high gas and electric bills that are continuing to rise, and according to NPR, the panels "start shaving off part of a homeowner's or renter's utility bill right away."