Balcony Solar in New York: Can Apartment Renters Plug In?

Short answer: not yet. The SUNNY Act (S8512C/A9111C) passed both houses on May 28, 2026 and would allow certified plug-in solar of up to 1,200 W, but as of early October 2026 it had not been delivered to Governor Hochul. Until it is signed and takes effect (90 days later), your utility's interconnection rules apply.

Status

Passed legislature; not yet signed

Bill

SUNNY Act, S8512C / A9111C

Proposed limit

1,200 W AC

Start date if signed

90 days after it becomes law

Today

Utility interconnection rules apply

Average power price

~29.9¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026)

New York has more renters than any other state, and New York City alone has millions of apartments with no roof access. That is why advocates rallied for the SUNNY Act all summer, and why many New Yorkers are searching for an answer. Here is where things stand. Other states are on the 50-state map.

What the SUNNY Act would do

• Allow plug-in solar devices of up to 1,200 W of AC output, above the 600 to 800 W informal ceiling some utilities use today;
• require equipment certified by an accredited testing laboratory such as UL;
• require installations to follow the state fire code (mounting clearances and cable routing);
• remove the need for a special permit or utility application for compliant systems.

Senator Liz Krueger sponsors the Senate version. In New York, a bill passed by the legislature is only sent to the governor when the legislature delivers it, and the governor then has a limited time to act. Many bills are delivered in the last months of the year.

What applies today: Con Edison, National Grid, NYSEG

Without a state law, plug-in solar sits in a gray area governed by each utility's existing interconnection rules. Those rules were written for permanent systems and generally expect an application before any generator is connected to the grid. If you are thinking of connecting a kit now:

1. Ask your utility in writing (Con Edison in NYC and Westchester; National Grid upstate and on Long Island; NYSEG in central and western New York) whether it has a process for small behind-the-meter systems, what wattage it accepts and what certification it requires.
2. Keep the answer. A written reply protects you if questions come up later.
3. Get your landlord's or co-op board's permission before mounting anything outside your window or on a balcony.

If you just want to start using sunlight, a solar panel charging a portable power station is legal everywhere: it never connects to your home's wiring, so interconnection rules don't apply. It's also a good backup during outages.

Renters, co-ops and the city's rules

The bill text we reviewed doesn't include a landlord or co-op protection like Virginia's or New Jersey's. Even after signing, building rules would still decide what can go on a balcony or fire escape. In New York City, never place panels, cables or mounts on a fire escape: they must stay clear by law. Read balcony solar for renters and how to ask your landlord.

Would it pay off in New York?

New York's high prices (about 29.9¢/kWh on average, more in NYC) help. An 800 W kit on a south-facing railing would produce roughly 630 kWh a year and save about $150; tilted south with no shade, about $240. North-facing or heavily shaded windows, common in the city, can cut that by half or more. Use the calculator preset for New York with your own rate.

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