NJ Gov. Sherrill Legalizes Plug-in Solar Panels, While NYers At Risk of Being Left Behind!

ALBANY, NY (09/02/2026) (readMedia)-- As New Yorkers spend another summer struggling to pay their energy bills, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill signed the Garden State Balcony Solar Act, legislation to allow plug-in solar panels so New Jersey families can lower their bills and start generating their own renewable power. The move comes just weeks after neighboring Connecticut passed its own balcony solar bill, and as New Yorkers continue to urge Governor Hochul to follow their lead by signing the SUNNY Act (A.9111C/S.8512C) into law.

Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, lead sponsor of the SUNNY Act, said, "Our tri-state neighbors, New Jersey and Connecticut, have both passed and signed plug-in solar bills, as have Vermont, New Hampshire, and five other states around the country. We are in the era of balcony solar already, as states around the country are turning to the technology to lower energy bills, reduce emissions, and relieve the grid during peak periods, just as people in countries like Germany have been doing for a decade. The number one thing Governor Hochul can do to ensure safe, legal adoption of plug-in solar devices across New York is to sign the bill, so we get to dictate how we adopt this technology for ourselves."

Senator Liz Krueger, lead sponsor of the SUNNY Act, said, "Allowing people to buy and use plug-in solar is a no-brainer – that's why the SUNNY Act passed both houses of the Legislature with broad bipartisan support this year. New York will soon be surrounded by states whose citizens have access to this money-saving technology. New Yorkers do not want to be left behind when they could be accessing free energy from the sun. I urge Governor Hochul to sign the SUNNY Act now."

"Balcony solar panels are a simple, common-sense way for families to lower their utility bills and reduce their reliance on costly fossil fuels. There's no reason New Yorkers should be left behind to pay higher energy bills every month while our neighbors in New Jersey and Connecticut are allowed to access clean, affordable solar power. Thankfully, lawmakers already passed the SUNNY Act, which means it's now on Governor Hochul to follow their lead and sign the bill into law!" said Priya Mulgaonkar, Director of the Green Co-op Council, a member of the SUNNY Coalition.

"Families across New York are eagerly awaiting Governor Hochul's signature on the SUNNY Act so we can plug in panels and start lowering our emissions and our bills. We urge her not to leave New Yorkers behind and sign the bill ASAP," said Liat Olenick, Climate Families NYC.

"Plug-in solar is one of the simplest tools we have to bring energy relief to everyone, including New Yorkers who don't have solar on their own homes," said Elena Weissmann, Senior Northeast Director of Vote Solar. "New Yorkers shouldn't have to watch our neighbors across the bridge have access to cheaper, cleaner power while the Governor drags her feet on delivering the same opportunity here. Every month Governor Hochul waits to sign the SUNNY Act is another month New Yorkers pay more than we should for power we could be generating ourselves. Signing this easy, no-cost way to deliver real savings to families should not be a hard call."

"It's simple: if Utah, Maine, Virginia, Colorado, Maryland, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire - and now New Jersey - can enact plug-in solar legislation, then surely Governor Hochul can sign the SUNNY Act, which the New York legislature already passed. Balcony solar is the future; we're calling on the Governor not to leave us stuck in the past," said Pat Almonrode, Co-facilitator of Third Act NYC.

"The SUNNY Act is energy justice in action," said Kim Fraczek, Director of Sane Energy Project. "New Yorkers, especially renters across this state, and those shut out of rooftop solar, deserve access to affordable, renewable power. Governor Hochul, the Legislature has done its job. Sign the SUNNY Act and give New Yorkers the power to lower their bills and take control of their energy future."

"Saving money with solar should be as easy as a trip to the hardware store," said Liz Veazey, State Policy Campaigns Director of Solar United Neighbors. "Governor Sherrill's signature has made this possible for New Jerseyans. Governor Hochul should do the same for New Yorkers."

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.

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."