Hudson Valley Leaders Tell Governor Hochul: Legalize Plug-In Solar!

KINGSTON, NY (10/22/2026) (readMedia)-- Today, elected officials held a rally outside Kingston City Hall urging Governor Hochul to sign the Solar Up Now New York (SUNNY) Act (S.8512C Krueger/A.9111C Gallagher). With just over two months left for Governor Hochul to sign the bill into law, the group shared how Hudson Valley residents will be able to lower their energy bills and do their part to cut pollution and fight climate change if the governor removes the regulatory red tape to small, "plug-in" solar panels. The group also demonstrated how to use a plug-in solar panel, and how easy it is to set up.

Watch the presser here. Pictures are @thesunnyact on Instagram.

"The SUNNY Act creates the regulatory framework to allow renters and homeowners to install small plug-in solar panels at their homes or commercial buildings. We passed it in our house with bipartisan support, and at a time when utility bills and energy use are among the most pressing issues New Yorkers are facing, there is absolutely no reason the Governor should be delaying signing this bill into law. She should've already done so, so that our constituents could've taken advantage of it before we head into winter," said Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha

"The SUNNY Act is a simple fix that cuts unnecessary red tape and finally gives both homeowners and renters an easy, affordable way to lower their energy bills. Plug?in solar is safe, practical, and ready to use, and is already helping millions of people worldwide, reducing household energy bills and pollution and easing strain on the grid. This is a bill that counties across the state and across party lines support: At the September conference of the NYS Association of Counties, we passed a resolution urging the Governor to sign this legislation and make it easier and more affordable to have solar. It's time to get this bill over the finish line," said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger

"Governor Hochul has been a leader of delivering clean energy in New York State. By signing the SUNNY Act, the governor can allow residents to take control of their own energy costs through low cost, easy-to-install solar devices for our porches, decks, balconies, or any other convenient location. Our neighboring states have already implemented similar policies, and I fully support New York taking this important step," said Kingston Mayor Steve Noble.

"The SUNNY Act would materially improve many of my constituents' qualities of life. 80% of the Village of New Paltz population rents our homes, and without legislation like the SUNNY Act we have little autonomy with regard to our rising electric bills and how we are able to participate in the green energy future. If we have balconies, why shouldn't we be able to use them for solar energy?! Governor Hochul can make that happen, so I urge her to sign the SUNNY Act." said Village of New Paltz Mayor Alexandra Wojcik.

If signed, the SUNNY Act will bring New York State in line with a growing number of states that have legalized plug-in solar this year, including Connecticut, New Jersey, Colorado, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, Utah, Virginia, and most recently California, enabling 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.

Earlier this week, two op-eds made the case for the SUNNY Act. In the New York Daily News, Senator Liz Krueger and New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin wrote that the SUNNY Act is "exactly the kind of pragmatic, concrete, common-sense action that lawmakers can and should be taking to give New Yorkers some immediate relief" from rising energy bills. In the Albany Times Union, two members of the Virginia House of Delegates Paul Krizek (D) and Delores Oates (R), describe how simple plug-in solar is and its bipartisan appeal: "We approached this issue from different political perspectives, but we both co-sponsored the successful legislation behind it - Virginia HB 395 - because it gives Virginians a practical way to lower their bills."

"My plug-in solar panel could not have been easier to install. It's affordable, reliable, and since it can charge a backup battery, there's no worry about what to do in a blackout. The sun can take care of us if we let it. Governor Hochul should make this possible for more New Yorkers and sign the SUNNY Act," said Bennet Ratcliff, Bearsville resident.

"Where I live in Peekskill near the heavily polluting garbage incinerator, my community has no control over our air quality. That makes solutions like plug-in solar, where we can at least take back some control over our homes, especially important. My plug-in solar panel is making my home cleaner and lowering my energy bill, and I urge Governor Hochul to make this possible for every New Yorker," said Rebekah M, resident of Peekskill.

"As energy bills continue to skyrocket, the SUNNY Act shows the way forward: affordable, accessible solar is key to lowering bills and fighting climate change. States across the country are legalizing balcony solar panels because they know this, and New Yorkers should not be left behind. Governor Hochul must sign the SUNNY Act into law!" said Priya Mulgaonkar, Director of the Green Co-op Council.

"As an organizer working specifically with families, I hear about how anxious parents are to take care of their kids as they struggle with utility bills all the time. The Sunny Act will make families' lives easier. Solar is for everyone. We need plug-in solar to help families generate their own power and offset rising costs now, Governor Hochul!" Said Shokoofeh Rajabzadeh, Parent and Organizer with Climate Families Westchester.

"The fossil fuel industry wants to stay dependent on a polluting, destructive and expensive energy source when we know that renewable energy is cheaper, more accessible, and safer. At a time when Trump is threatening to build a massive fracked gas pipeline in New York, we need Governor Hochul to be a climate leader and sign the bill! The SUNNY Act will get us one step closer to a fossil free future - New Yorkers need it NOW!" said Melissa Hoffmann, Hudson Valley Organizer with Food & Water Watch

ABOUT THE SUNNY ACT

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."

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 New Jersey, Connecticut, California, 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.