NEW: CA Becomes Latest State To Embrace Balcony Solar As Pressure Builds For Gov. Hochul To Sign SUNNY Act

California follows Connecticut, New Jersey and others making it easier for residents to take power back into their own hands and lower their energy bills; Governor Hochul can save New Yorkers money and join plug-in solar movement by signing SUNNY Act into law

ALBANY, NY (08/26/2026) (readMedia)-- As New Yorkers spend another summer struggling to pay their energy bills, California's state legislature has passed SB 868: legislation that, once signed, will legalize plug-in solar panels so California families can lower their bills and reduce emissions. This summer, lawmakers in neighboring Connecticut and New Jersey passed their own balcony solar bills - now, lawmakers and advocates are urging Governor Hochul to follow their lead and sign the Solar Up Now New York (SUNNY) Act (A.9111C/S.8512C) so New Yorkers can generate their own cheap, renewable power.

"California, New Jersey and Connecticut are all moving to legalize 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 New Yorkers should be left out and paying higher energy bills every month while families all around 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.

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.

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."