NEW: SUNNY Act Passes Assembly Energy Committee, Bringing New York One Step Closer To Embracing Solar Power!

State Senate already passed the bill unanimously, meaning the Assembly can finish the job and pass this law to lower NYers' energy bills and reduce reliance on fossil fuels; Committee vote comes as new ads in Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak station highlight how solar power could lower NYers' high energy bills

ALBANY, NY (05/12/2026) (readMedia)-- Yesterday, the New York State Assembly Energy Committee voted to advance the Solar Up Now New York (SUNNY) Act (S.8512B / A.9111B), bringing the bill one step closer to passing this session. The SUNNY Act will remove red tape and legalize "balcony solar," the small, plug-in solar panels that everyday New Yorkers can use to save on their energy bills. The bill already passed the Senate unanimously - and is now expected to get a full Assembly vote before heading to the Governor for her signature!

The vote comes as advocates announced a new series of ads plastered across the Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak station to highlight how the SUNNY Act will help lower New Yorkers' high energy bills. View the Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak station ads here.

"Plug-in solar is a proven way to lower everyday New Yorkers' energy bills while allowing them to generate clean, affordable energy. We're grateful to Assembly Energy Chair Didi Barrett and the Assembly members who voted to advance this bill for recognizing the importance of making balcony solar accessible to all New Yorkers. We look forward to working with the Assembly and Governor to finish the job and ensure all New Yorkers can start taking their power back into their own hands!" said Priya Mulgaonkar, Director of the Green Co-op Council.

The SUNNY Act will enable all New Yorkers to take advantage of new technology that allows them to safely create their own power, lower their own energy bills, and do their part to cut pollution and fight climate change. Ahead of the vote, advocates in recent weeks have held demonstrations across the state to show how New Yorkers can use plug-in solar panels to generate renewable power, running a blender for smoothies, a cooling fan and a radio for passers-by.

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. Plug-in solar bills have become law in Utah, Maine, Virginia and Colorado, and legislation awaits the governor's signature in Maryland. Legislation 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."