Quick Answer
Plug-in solar is not yet law in New York, but the SUNNY Act passed both chambers of the legislature in June 2026 and is awaiting Governor Hochul’s signature. If signed, New York renters and homeowners would be able to install plug-in solar without utility approval or landlord permission.
New York SUNNY Act: What It Would Do
New York’s SUNNY Act (Straightforward Utilization of New York’s Solar Energy) would give any New York resident — renter or homeowner — the right to install a plug-in solar system without permits, utility interconnection approval, or landlord permission. The bill mirrors the appliance-framing approach used in Maryland.
Current Status
| Senate | Passed |
| Assembly | Passed (June 2026) |
| Governor Hochul | Awaiting signature |
Why New York Matters
New York has some of the highest electricity rates in the continental US — averaging $0.22–0.26/kWh in New York City and surrounding areas. At those rates, a single 400-watt plug-in solar panel could save $12–14/month, with a payback period of roughly 3.5–4 years. For the millions of New York City renters who have no other solar option, the SUNNY Act would be transformative.
New York City Savings Estimates
| System size | Monthly savings (at $0.23/kWh) | Payback |
| 1 panel (400W) | ~$12/month | ~4 years |
| 2 panels (800W) | ~$25/month | ~3.5 years |
What You Can Do Now
The SUNNY Act has not yet been signed. In the meantime, check your lease — many New York leases don’t explicitly address balcony solar. If you have a south- or west-facing balcony, a UL 1741-certified kit (the established US safety standard for grid-connected inverters) will be ready to install the day the law takes effect — UL 3700, a newer standard written specifically for plug-in solar, has no certified products on the market yet.
We track the SUNNY Act and all 50 states at the Solarly state law tracker. Last updated: June 2026.
Solarly 