How many watts would New York allow?

Up to 1,200 watts of total AC inverter output.

Would I need permission from Con Edison or National Grid?

No approval, but you would have to notify your utility within 30 days of installing, using a short online form.

Would my utility pay me for extra power?

No, unless you voluntarily sign a net metering or other compensation agreement.

Can my landlord stop me?

The bill doesn't address landlords or HOAs, so your lease and building rules still apply.

What can I do right now?

Use a battery-only setup that never connects to your home wiring, and pick a certified kit so it qualifies once the law takes effect.

Is Balcony Solar Legal in New York?

Not yet. New York's SUNNY Act (S 8512C / A 9111) passed both the Senate and the Assembly in 2026 but is still waiting for Governor Hochul's signature. If she signs it, plug-in balcony solar up to 1,200 watts becomes legal 90 days later, with no utility approval or fees, just a 30-day notice to your utility.

New York balcony solar at a glance

Status	⏳ Waiting on governor
Bill	S 8512C / A 9111, Sen. Liz Krueger
Would take effect	90 days after the governor signs
Size limit	1,200 W total AC inverter output
Utility interconnection agreement	Not required
Utility fees	Not allowed
Certification	Listed by a nationally recognized testing lab as a complete plug-in system
Renter / HOA rules	Not addressed in the bill text
Last checked	October 28, 2026

What Solar Up Now NY (SUNNY) Act would do

Allows plug-in devices up to 1,200 W of total AC inverter output.
No utility approval and no fees. Utilities can't require approval before you install, charge a fee for the device or for power it sends to the grid, or demand extra equipment.
A 30-day notice. You'd tell your utility within 30 days of installing, using a simple web form each utility must post (name, address, account number, make, model and size).
Certified hardware only. The device must be listed by a nationally recognized testing lab as a complete plug-in system and shut off during a power outage.
No pay for exported power unless you choose to sign a net metering or other compensation agreement.
No renter rule. The sponsor says it would help renters, but the bill text doesn't stop landlords or HOAs from banning it.

Can I use balcony solar in New York right now?

Not as a grid-connected plug-in system with plug-in solar law protections. Until then your utility's normal interconnection rules still apply. What you can do now:

Pick a kit that's UL-certified so it qualifies on day one.
Measure your balcony or railing and check how many hours of direct sun it gets.
Use a panel with a portable power station (battery only, not plugged into your wiring). That setup never connects to the grid, so interconnection rules don't apply.

Renters, landlords and HOAs in New York

The bill doesn't say anything about landlords or HOAs, so your lease and building rules still decide. Before you buy:

Read your lease and HOA rules for anything about balcony attachments or electrical devices.
Ask in writing before mounting anything to a railing.
Prefer clamp-on or freestanding mounts that don't drill into the building.

How much can balcony solar save in New York?

Find your price per kWh on your Con Edison, National Grid, NYSEG, Central Hudson or other utility bill.
Check the kit's estimated yearly output for your location and the way your balcony faces (south is best, then east or west).
Multiply: yearly kWh × your price per kWh = rough yearly savings. Or use the balcony solar calculator.

Shade, railing angle and how much of the power you use while it's being made all change the result. Plug-in systems are meant to offset what your home uses, not to sell power back.

Timeline

April 21, 2026: Senate passes S 8512C 62–0.
May 28, 2026: Senate passes the Assembly version, A 9111, 59–1, so both chambers have approved it.
July 30, 2026: Advocates rally urging Governor Hochul to sign.
By end of 2026: Governor's deadline to sign or veto.
90 days after signing: The law would take effect.

FAQ

Is balcony solar legal in New York?: Not yet. The SUNNY Act passed the legislature in 2026 but is waiting for Governor Hochul's signature. It would take effect 90 days after she signs.
How many watts would New York allow?: Up to 1,200 watts of total AC inverter output.
Would I need permission from Con Edison or National Grid?: No approval, but you would have to notify your utility within 30 days of installing, using a short online form.
Would my utility pay me for extra power?: No, unless you voluntarily sign a net metering or other compensation agreement.
Can my landlord stop me?: The bill doesn't address landlords or HOAs, so your lease and building rules still apply.
What can I do right now?: Use a battery-only setup that never connects to your home wiring, and pick a certified kit so it qualifies once the law takes effect.

Sources

This page explains the law in plain language. It is not legal advice. Last checked October 28, 2026.