City elected officials and climate groups gathered at City Hall Park on July 30 to urge Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the Solar Up Now New York (SUNNY) Act (S.8512/A.9111), which would create a legal pathway for small, plug‑in “balcony” solar panels.
The rally came after a letter from New York City officials — including NYC Comptroller Mark Levine, City Council Speaker Julie Menin, Borough Presidents Vanessa Gibson, Brad Hoylman‑Sigal and Donovan Richards, and 26 City Council members — asking the governor to approve the bill. The press release announcing the event was issued by the SUNNY Coalition and the Green Co‑op Council.
What the SUNNY Act would do
According to the coalition and elected sponsors, the SUNNY Act would exempt small, portable plug‑in solar panels from interconnection and net‑metering rules designed for much larger systems, removing regulatory barriers that now treat a single plug‑in panel the same as a full‑scale solar farm. Supporters say the change would make solar accessible to renters and apartment households that cannot install rooftop systems, helping New Yorkers lower electric bills and cut emissions.
Lead bill sponsors in the 2026 session are Senator Liz Krueger (S.8512) and Assemblymember Emily Gallagher (A.9111). The release says the bill passed both chambers of the New York legislature during the 2026 session and passed the Senate unanimously; it now awaits the governor’s signature.
Supporters and arguments
Speakers and statements highlighted affordability and equity: plug‑in panels are promoted as a low‑cost, immediately deployable option that could be purchased at retail and plugged into a standard household outlet. Supporters pointed to other states that have enacted similar measures — including Connecticut, Colorado, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, Utah and Virginia — and said legalization would align New York with those efforts.
Advocates also framed the bill as a near‑term way to reduce household energy costs amid rising utility bills and increasingly frequent heatwaves. The release cited local legislation such as NYC’s Local Law 99 as complementary municipal actions to expand solar generation.
Next steps
If Gov. Hochul signs the SUNNY Act, New York would change how small plug‑in solar is regulated and allow eligible panels sold in stores or online to be used by residents who currently lack rooftop access. The release urges the governor to sign the bill “ASAP” so families can start saving on bills and lowering pollution.
Source: press release from the SUNNY Coalition and the Green Co‑op Council; readMedia view online post.
