ICYMI: CT, NJ and UK All Embracing Balcony Solar Panels As Momentum Builds for Gov. Hochul To Sign SUNNY Act

ALBANY, NY (07/24/2026) (readMedia)-- This summer, as New Yorkers continue to struggle paying their energy bills, neighboring states are moving ahead to legalize plug-in solar panels that help lower bills and reduce families' emissions. Last month, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed HB 5340 into law, and on June 30th, New Jersey's state legislature passed its own balcony solar bill, becoming the tenth state to pass plug-in solar legislation. And it's not just neighboring states: the United Kingdom just cleared the way for households nationwide to plug in and power their own homes.

The moves come as Governor Hochul considers signing the Solar Up Now New York (SUNNY) Act (A.9111C/S.8512C), which the Legislature passed in June, to allow working families to generate their own cheap, renewable power.

"States across the country are legalizing balcony solar panels because they know it's a simple way to help families lower their bills and reduce their emissions. There's no reason families right across the border in Connecticut and New Jersey should be able to access clean, affordable solar power while New Yorkers are forced to rack up costly energy bills just to stay cool. Thankfully, lawmakers did their part to pass the SUNNY Act, meaning it's up to Governor Hochul to finish the job and sign the bill into law!" 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 a growing number of states that have cleared the way for plug-in solar, including 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. Outside of the U.S., the United Kingdom has now joined Germany and Spain in allowing major retailers to start selling plug-in panels to the public so they can lower their energy bills.

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."