State Lawmakers, Advocates Rally As Momentum Builds To Pass SUNNY Act Before End of Session

ALBANY, NY (05/27/2026) (readMedia)-- Today, Assemblymembers Emily Gallagher, Phara Souffrant-Forrest, Diana Moreno, Yudelka Tapia, Linda Rosenthal, Dana Levenberg, Chris Burdick, and Anna Kelles joined advocates for a press conference at the Capitol to urge the Assembly to pass the Solar Up Now New York (SUNNY) Act (A.9111C/S.8512C) before the end of session. 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. The bill already passed the Senate unanimously, and the Assembly Energy Committee earlier this month - meaning the Assembly can finish the job by bringing it to a floor vote before the end of session.

Passing the bill would bring New York in line with other states including Utah, Connecticut, Maryland, Maine, Virginia, Colorado, and New Hampshire that have all passed similar bills in the last year, and New York's direct neighbors, New Jersey and Vermont, that are advancing their own similar legislation.

Watch a recording of the event here.

"The SUNNY Act is my most popular piece of legislation. Around New York City, and when I visit family upstate, I am regularly stopped by New Yorkers asking me to pass this bill so they can have legal, plug-in solar. At a moment when utility costs are skyrocketing and our neighboring states are all passing similar legislation, it would be malpractice to end this session and not pass this bill. I will fight for it until the end," said Assemblymember and prime bill sponsor, Emily Gallagher.

"By legalizing the SUNNY Act, we are giving everyday New Yorkers a simple, affordable tool to lower their energy bills, cut emissions, and take their power into their own hands. With energy costs rising and our climate goals on the line, there is no reason to wait," said Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest.

"The SUNNY Act is common sense legislation that will help make the financial and environmental benefits of solar energy more accessible to more people. Plug-in solar is a solution that can be used by thousands of New York households that may not be able to move to rooftop solar for a number of reasons - renters, those whose roofs are not yet suitable, or those who can't yet afford a rooftop setup. New York State must take this opportunity to empower more residents to take energy production into their own hands," said Assemblymember Dana Levenberg.

"The SUNNY Act is an important step in the right direction that we can and should be taking to help New Yorkers facing high energy costs. Reducing regulatory barriers for plug-in solar devices helps make the solar economy more accessible for everyone. If passed, residents will enjoy cost-savings while NY State continues its advancement of clean energy initiatives. I encourage my Assembly colleagues to get this bill out of committee and onto the floor for a vote," said Assemblyman Al Stirpe.

"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.

"As a proud co-sponsor of the SUNNY Act, I strongly encourage my colleagues to pass this important environmental measure before the end of session," Assemblyman Steve Stern said. "The Federal Government is not only abandoning efforts to expand clean, renewable and sustainable energy programs, it is actively subverting them, making this initiative even more critical. The SUNNY Act will expand access to plug-in solar devices, especially for non-homeowners who seek to reduce their energy costs and transition to cleaner renewable energy sources. New York must continue to lead the way to protect our precious environment and combat the real-time threats of climate change now and for generations to come."

"At a time when New Yorkers are facing skyrocketing utility costs and an ongoing affordability crisis, we should be doing everything possible to make clean and affordable energy more accessible. The SUNNY Act is a practical, forward-thinking solution that would help lower energy bills while expanding access to plug-in solar technology for working families across our state. I am proud to support the SUNNY Act so New Yorkers can benefit from cleaner, more affordable energy options without unnecessary delays," said Assemblymember Steven Raga.

Ahead of a potential Assembly vote, New Yorkers are urging the state to get the SUNNY Act done before time runs out. Yesterday, New Yorkers from across the state rallied with environmentalist Bill McKibben to share their plug-in solar panel success stories and highlight how it has improved their homes. Advocates also held demonstrations across the state last month to show how New Yorkers can easily use plug-in solar panels to generate renewable power, running a blender for smoothies, a cooling fan and a radio for passers-by.

"I'm typing these words on a computer powered in part by the electrons pouring down from the sun and into my balcony solar system - which took literally three minutes to install. There's no reason the clean energy revolution should be only for suburbanites with big rooflines; as millions of Europeans have discovered, the sun shines on apartments too!" said Bill McKibben, author, educator, activist, and founder of Third Act.

"Under the SUNNY Act, even people living in apartments will be able to make the choice to replace some of their fossil fuel use with solar energy they capture themselves. It's an example of how thousands of small choices by ordinary New York families can add up to a big impact, and take us closer to the zero-emission future we're all working toward," said Katherine Nadeau, Deputy Executive Director, Policy and Programs, Environmental Advocates NY.

"Families across the state urgently want access to affordable solar to lower our bills and planet warming emissions. With the state backtracking on its climate commitments and putting our children's futures at risk, the Assembly must lead by passing SUNNY now!" said Liat Olenick, Climate Families NYC.

"Electricity is, or should be, like water: a basic human necessity. No New Yorker should have to choose between staying cool in a heat wave and eating dinner. The Assembly must pass the SUNNY act to give all New Yorkers a way to reduce their energy bills," said Cora Stryker, co-founder of Bright Saver.

"The legislature has a few days left to act, and the SUNNY Act is a simple but powerful chance to bring real light into a moment of manufactured volatility and darkness, driven by leaders improperly wielding their power to preserve control in the hands of a few. SUNNY is a small, practical step with immense meaning: lower bills, stronger resilience, and true energy independence through renewables. The NYS Senate passed this unanimously. Will the Assembly meet the moment?" said Kim Fraczek, Director of Sane Energy Project.

"Families across New York are feeling the strain of rising energy costs, and plug-in solar offers one of the simplest, most accessible ways to lower household energy bills," said Elena Weissmann at Vote Solar. "We're calling on lawmakers to pass the SUNNY Act and give everyday New Yorkers a straightforward way to lower their energy bills and be part of the clean energy transition. Renters, apartment dwellers, and families who haven't yet had access to solar deserve that opportunity too. When solar is accessible to everyone, we all win."

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."