Solar-Powered Appliance Tour Heads to Queens as NYS Considers Increasing Access to Solar

Assemblymember Diana Moreno joined advocates as they rallied for solar power as Albany lawmakers consider SUNNY Act, legislation that would remove red tape for simple, plug-in solar panels

QUEENS, NY (04/23/2026) (readMedia)-- Earlier this afternoon at Dutch Kills Playground, Assemblymember Diana Moreno and advocates for the Solar Up Now New York (SUNNY) Act (S.8512 Krueger/ A.9111 Gallagher) demonstrated how to easily power appliances with solar energy. Using solar power, the group ran a blender for smoothies, a cooling fan and a radio.

The SUNNY Act will remove regulatory red tape to small, "plug-in" solar panels, so that New Yorkers – especially renters – can take advantage of this 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. The Senate passed the bill unanimously earlier this week, and now it's up to the Assembly to pass it and make New York one step closer to legalizing plug-in solar.

"New Yorkers should be able to install small solar panels in their homes to lower their carbon footprint and their utility bills. We shouldn't let landlords or utility companies tell tenants that they can't harness the sun's rays for energy. Instead, we should empower New Yorkers to use this safe and affordable way to save money on electricity. Now that the Senate has unanimously passed the SUNNY Act, the Assembly must do the same. I was pleased to join advocates in my district at Dutch Kills Playground to demonstrate the usefulness of plug-in solar panels, and will continue advocating for the SUNNY Act in Albany," said Assemblymember Diana Moreno.

"Plug-in solar can be a major help for New York City families with rising energy bills. This technology is already working all over the world, but we need the legislature to pass the SUNNY Act so that homeowners and renters alike can take their power back into their own hands," said Priya Mulgaonkar, Director of the Green Co-op Council.

View photos from the event here.

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 and Maine, and legislation awaits the governor's signature in Colorado, Virginia, and Maryland. Legislation has been introduced in 28 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."

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