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

Lawmakers and everyday New Yorkers will urge the Assembly to legalize plug-in solar panels by passing the SUNNY Act before the legislative session ends next week; Passing the SUNNY Act will remove red tape, make plug-in solar panels easier to install and allow all New Yorkers to embrace cheap solar power

ALBANY, NY (05/26/2026) (readMedia)-- On Wednesday, May 27th, state lawmakers and advocates will hold 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 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.

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. Passing the bill would bring New York in line with seven 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.

Ahead of a potential Assembly vote, New Yorkers are urging the Assembly to get this popular bill to a vote and passed 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. Watch a recording of the event here.

WHO:

Assemblymembers Emily Gallagher, Dana Levenberg, Yudelka Tapia and more;

Climate & clean energy organizations including NY Renews, Climate Families NY, Third Act, Sustainable Hudson Valley, Vote Solar, Solar One, Permit Power, the Green Coop Council and more;

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WHAT:

Press conference with state lawmakers urging the Assembly to pass the SUNNY Act before end of session and legalize balcony solar for all New Yorkers
WHEN: Wednesday May 27, 2026 at 12:30PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: Outside the LCA
New York State Capitol Building
Albany, New York 12224
NOTES:

RSVP: To Hanna Johnson, johnsonh@nyassembly.gov