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Is Plug-In Solar Legal in New York?

Passed legislature — awaiting Governor   Avg rate ~25¢/kWh   Updated: June 21, 2026

Last verified: June 21, 2026 · changelog · source data

Quick answer: In New York, A.9111C / S.8512C (SUNNY Act) passed the state legislature and is awaiting the Governor’s signature as of June 2026. The proposed cap is 1,200W per household. Until the bill is signed and effective, your utility’s existing interconnection rules still apply. Average residential rate is around 25¢/kWh.
Thinking about installing? See our best plug-in solar kits for 2026 and estimate your yearly savings.
📜 SUNNY Act passed both chambers on May 29, 2026. Bills A.9111C (Assembly) and S.8512C (Senate, sponsored by State Sen. Liz Krueger) passed the New York State Legislature on May 29, 2026 and are now on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s desk. She has until the end of 2026 to either sign or veto. Until she signs, plug-in solar is not yet codified into New York law — it still operates under each utility’s existing interconnection rules.

What the SUNNY Act actually does

The bill creates a state-level legal path for plug-in / balcony solar, removing the case-by-case utility-approval barrier for small systems. Key terms:

  • Cap: 1,200 watts of panel capacity (well above the 600–800W cap most U.S. utilities currently treat as the soft ceiling).
  • UL-certified equipment. The microinverter (and panels where applicable) must be certified by an accredited testing laboratory — in practice this means a UL listing or equivalent.
  • Fire-code compliance. Installations must follow New York’s state fire code (mounting clearances, cable routing).
  • No special permit / utility application for systems within the cap that meet the above — that’s the headline change.

This is the same template European balcony-solar laws use (Germany’s “Steckersolar” rules are also ≤ 800W with VDE certification), scaled up to the U.S. 1,200W draft.

National context: NY would be the 8th state to sign

New York has passed a plug-in solar bill through both legislative chambers and sent it to the governor. Seven states have already signed similar laws:

If Hochul signs, New York becomes the 8th. Connecticut and Vermont both signed in June 2026, making the Northeast the fastest-moving region on plug-in solar; New Hampshire (SB 540) has also passed and awaits its governor. New York would join them with similar economics: payback at the state average 25¢/kWh rate (highest in the contiguous U.S. after California and the upper New England states) lands at roughly 3 years on a typical 800W kit.

What you can do today (while the bill sits on Hochul’s desk)

You don’t have to wait for the signature to install plug-in solar — you just have to do it the old way: under your utility’s existing interconnection rules, not the SUNNY Act. Most New York households are served by one of three utilities:

  1. Con Edison (NYC + Westchester) — ask about small net energy metering / behind-the-meter interconnection for systems under 25 kW.
  2. National Grid (Upstate NY + Long Island gas) — same question; they generally accept UL-listed plug-in systems if you notify in writing.
  3. NYSEG (Central / Western NY) — similar process; written confirmation is your protection.

What to ask (and get in writing):

  • Maximum wattage allowed behind-the-meter without a permit.
  • Whether a one-page interconnection notification is required.
  • Whether they require a specific microinverter UL-listing (UL 1741 / UL 3700).

Then size your kit against your actual bill with our savings calculator (the NY default rate is 25¢/kWh) — an 800W kit typically offsets ~$200/year in New York, payback in 3 years at typical kit prices.

Ready to start? Compare the top kits for your home in our Best balcony solar kits 2026 guide →

Renting an apartment / co-op / condo? Read our HOA & balcony solar guide first — even with SUNNY signed, building rules still apply, and the 60-second landlord pitch matters more than the legislative wattage cap.

FAQ

Is balcony solar legal in New York right now?
Not yet codified. The SUNNY Act (A.9111C / S.8512C) passed both chambers of the New York State Legislature on May 29, 2026, but is still awaiting the Governor’s signature. Until it’s signed into law, plug-in solar sits in a gray area governed by each utility’s existing interconnection rules. Call your utility (Con Edison, National Grid or NYSEG) before you order.
What will the SUNNY Act allow?
The bill allows balcony / plug-in solar systems up to 1,200 watts (panel capacity) that comply with state fire codes and are certified by an accredited testing laboratory such as UL. It explicitly removes the interconnection / utility-approval barrier for small systems within that cap.
When will it take effect?
If Governor Hochul signs the bill, the effective date will be set by the bill text (typically 60–90 days after signing). She has until the end of 2026 to either sign or veto. If she takes no action by the end of the session window the bill can fail by pocket veto, so the practical deadline is the end of the 2026 calendar year.
What can I do meanwhile?
You can still install a plug-in solar kit today, but you have to do it under your utility’s existing interconnection rules — not under the SUNNY Act. Call Con Edison, National Grid or NYSEG, ask what wattage they allow behind-the-meter, use a UL-listed microinverter, and keep written confirmation. Once the SUNNY Act is signed, the 1,200W path becomes the default for compliant kits.

Sources

Nearby states: Pennsylvania · New Jersey · Connecticut · Massachusetts · Vermont · see the full 50-state tracker.

Last reviewed June 21, 2026. Status: bill passed both chambers, awaiting Governor signature. New York plug-in solar law will be retroactively codified by the SUNNY Act once signed — we re-check the bill status weekly while it sits on the Governor’s desk. Informational, not legal advice.

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