Solar-Powered Appliance Tour Kicks Off in Riverside Park as NYS Considers Increasing Access to Solar

Advocates rallied for solar power while Albany lawmakers consider SUNNY Act, legislation that would remove red tape for simple, plug-in solar panels

NEW YORK, NY (04/14/2026) (readMedia)-- Earlier this afternoon, 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.

"Plug-in solar panels are a game-changer for renters and working families who have long been left out of the clean energy transition. The SUNNY Act removes barriers standing between New Yorkers and this simple, safe technology, and helps families save money while we continue to work toward New York's climate goals," said Assemblymember Micah Lasher.

"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. Utah and Maine both recently passed similar laws, and 23 more states have bills moving through their legislatures.

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."