CA Gov. Newsom Legalizes Plug-In Solar, While SUNNY Act Still Sits on Gov Hochul's Desk

ALBANY, NY (10/01/2026) (readMedia)-- As New Yorkers continue to pay record-high energy bills, California Governor Gavin Newsom just signed SB 868, the Plug Into the Sun Act to legalize plug-in solar panels and allow families to lower their energy bills and reduce emissions. California is the tenth state in the nation to legalize balcony solar panels, following New York's neighbors New Jersey, Connecticut, and Vermont. As blue and red states across the country make it easy and affordable for everyday people to generate their own power, Governor Hochul has yet to make it happen in New York by signing the SUNNY Act (A.9111C/S.8512C) into law.

Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, lead sponsor of the SUNNY Act in the Assembly, said, "Plug-in solar isn't coming, it's here. Eleven states have legalized plug-in solar in the last year and, now that Governor Newsom has signed this bill, New York is the only one awaiting the Governor's signature. I urge Governor Hochul to sign the bill to give New Yorkers safe, legal access to cheaper, greener energy, just like our neighbors in New Jersey and Connecticut have."

Senator Liz Krueger, lead sponsor of the SUNNY Act in the Senate, said, "In the middle of an ongoing affordability crisis, New York should be taking advantage of every opportunity to lower people's bills. Once the market for plug-in solar fully matures, New Yorkers will be able to simply walk into a store, pay a few hundred bucks for a system, take it home and plug it in like any other appliance, and start saving hundreds of dollars every year. That's why governors in 10 other states have already signed laws just like the SUNNY Act, and similar bills have been introduced in 23 other states. I urge Governor Hochul to sign SUNNY and help New Yorkers fight climate change, save money, and claim real energy independence."

"The most populous state in the country has now made plug-in solar panels legal – that's because The most populous state in the country has now made plug-in solar panels legal – that's because Governor Newsom knows that balcony solar is a simple way to help families lower their bills and reduce their emissions. There's no reason New Yorkers should be left out and paying higher energy bills every month while families all across the country are allowed to access clean, affordable solar power. Lawmakers already passed the SUNNY Act, which means it's now on Governor Hochul to finish the job and sign the bill into law!" said Priya Mulgaonkar, Director of the Green Co-op Council.

"Coast to coast, the people have spoken and governments have listened," said Cora Stryker, co-CEO of Bright Saver, the first and only nonprofit dedicated to making plug-in solar accessible to all Americans. "Today, the fifth largest economy in the world joins the movement to make cheap, safe, clean energy available to everyone who wants it, especially people who have no other option to own their own power. Now that Governor Newsom has signed California's balcony solar bill into law, the nation's eyes are on Governor Hochul to do what is right for New Yorkers."

"New Yorkers want access to affordable, clean plug-in solar just like our peers in New Jersey, Connecticut and California. Governor Hochul should follow the leads of Governors around the country who are embracing clean energy and helping people lower their bills via this amazing technology. She should sign the SUNNY Act right away. Don't leave New York families behind, Governor Hochul!" said Liat Olenick, Program Director of Climate Families NYC.

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, New York will join a growing number of states that are clearing the way for plug-in solar, including California, New Jersey, Connecticut, Colorado, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, Utah, and Virginia, 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. But it's not just here in the U.S.: the United Kingdom recently joined Germany and Spain in allowing major retailers to start selling plug-in panels to the public so they can lower their energy bills.

"There's absolutely no reason for Governor Hochul not to sign the SUNNY Act," said Pat Almonrode, Co-facilitator, Third Act NYC. "The legislature passed it, the people of New York want it, it will lower energy costs and help curb pollution - and it won't cost the state a dime! No-brainers like this come along only very rarely. Governor Hochul, sign the SUNNY Act!"

"Governor Hochul can strike a blow for clean affordable energy with the stroke of her pen by signing the SUNNY Act into law," said Eric Weltman, a Brooklyn-based senior organizer with Food & Water Watch.

"Solar should be accessible to every New Yorker, not just those who own homes or can afford a rooftop system. The SUNNY Act would put affordable solar within reach of renters and apartment residents, helping more New Yorkers lower their energy bills and benefit from clean energy." said Stephen Levin, CEO of Solar One. "With California showing what's possible, we urge Governor Hochul to sign the SUNNY Act and bring this simple, powerful tool for energy affordability to New Yorkers."

"Every panel of plug in solar means less demand on the grid, more money in people's pockets, and cleaner air to breathe." said Kathy Kassner of Climate Reality Project Hudson Valley and Catskills Chapter. "With the EPA rolling back clean air standards, states need to step up and put clean, low-cost power into the hands of the people.

"New Yorkers shouldn't need an interconnection application to plug in a solar panel. Ten states have figured this out, including our neighbors in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Vermont. Governor Hochul has made cutting red tape a priority, and the SUNNY Act is a chance to do it for energy bills. She should sign it," said Hannah Birnbaum, Co-Founder and Chief of Advocacy at Permit Power.

"Saving money with solar should be as easy as a trip to the hardware store," said Erin Hellkamp, Associate Director, National Solar Activist Network & Policy of Solar United Neighbors. "Governor Newsom's signature has made this possible for Californians. Governor Hochul should do the same for New Yorkers."

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. Legislation to allow plug-in solar 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."