Amid Extreme Heat Wave, Homeowners With Balcony Solar Panels Urge Governor Hochul: Let Us Plug In!

ALBANY, NY (07/01/2026) (readMedia)-- Today, as a brutal heat wave slams New York State, homeowners are urging the Governor to sign legislation that would help them save money on their energy bills and stay cool. Last month, the New York State Legislature passed the Solar Up Now New York (SUNNY) Act (A.9111C/S.8512C), which removes red tape and legalizes small, plug-in "balcony solar" panels that families can use to lower their energy bills and generate renewable energy. The bill is awaiting the Governor's signature.

Below are quotes from plug-in solar panel owners across New York State, who are available for interview:

"I live in an older co-op that was built with very little insulation in the exterior walls. For me to stay cool during these brutal heat waves, my air conditioner stays on most of the day. I have a plug-in solar panel on my balcony that reduces the amount of electricity I need to take from the grid and this lowers the electricity bill. We need the Governor to sign this bill into law so more people can beat the heat without losing hundreds of dollars," said Dick Heitler, plug-in solar panel owner from New York City and member of the Green Co-op Council.

"It's already hard enough to keep my energy bills down throughout the year. This heat wave could cost me hundreds, and my balcony solar panel could help me cool down without huge charges. The Governor should sign this simple fix into law now and make this heat wave more bearable for everyday New Yorkers!" said Deb Birnbaum, plug-in solar panel owner from Long Island.

"Balcony solar panels could save people money and ease the strain on our energy grid, but because of outdated rules preventing us from plugging them in, New Yorkers are forced to pay sky-high energy bills just to stay cool. Governor Hochul, this is the perfect time to sign the SUNNY Act and let everyday people start benefiting from the blazing sun!" said Gregg Osofsky, plug-in solar panel owner from Millerton.

ABOUT THE SUNNY ACT

Signing the SUNNY Act 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 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.

Plug-in solar panels are small, portable panels that let people 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." The New York bill would cap these systems at 1,200 watts. A standard 800-watt setup could lower a New York household's electric bill by nearly $300 per year on average.