Legalize Balcony Solar for New Yorkers: Pass the SUNNY Act
New York State Lawmakers
Did you know it’s technically illegal to plug in a solar panel for your apartment in New York? This is largely because of outdated regulations on interconnection that favors utility companies, but hasn’t kept pace with rising demand for clean energy.
Other states like Utah are starting to remove red tape for plug-in solar panels. Germany is leading the way, having completed over one million balcony solar installations in June 2025 with a total of nearly 1 gigawatt of installed capacity.
The Green Co-op Council is calling on our elected officials to remove the red tape and make plug-in solar panels legal for New Yorkers!
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To:
New York State Lawmakers
From:
[Your Name]
New York is committed to clean energy, yet outdated regulations prevent residents from installing plug-in solar panels. Germany now has over one million balcony solar installations, a milestone reached in June 2025, with a total of nearly 1 gigawatt of installed capacity. Other states like Utah are starting to remove red tape for plug-in solar panels.
We urge Governor Hochul to take immediate action to remove red tape for plug-in solar panels. New York State can exempt some portable solar devices from state regulations that require owners of rooftop solar arrays and other power-generating systems to sign an interconnection agreement with their local utility.
By making balcony solar accessible, New York can empower its citizens to participate in the clean energy transition, reduce our carbon footprint, and foster greater energy independence for all.
We call on you, our elected officials, to champion this vital initiative and unlock the potential of balcony solar for every New Yorker.