Is balcony (plug-in) solar legal in New York?
Not yet. Solar Up Now NY Act, A.9111-C / S.8512-C has passed the legislature but has not been signed. Passed the Assembly and the Senate on May 28, 2026. Not yet delivered to the governor. Until a law takes effect, your utility's normal rules for connecting solar apply.
New York law
Passed the legislatureState law: not yet. A bill has passed the legislature but has not been signed.
- Bill
- Solar Up Now NY Act, A.9111-C / S.8512-C
- Progress
- Passed the Assembly and the Senate on May 28, 2026. Not yet delivered to the governor.
Pending bill, not law. The governor may request changes before signing.
What the bill would do if signed
- Size cap
- 1,200 W (combined AC inverter output to the grid)
- Certification
- Listed or certified by an accredited NRTL as a complete plug-in PV system
- Tell your utility?
- Notify the utility within 30 days of installing, on a simple form (name, address, account number, make, model, size). No approval, fees or extra equipment.
- Export credit
- Exports aren't paid for unless you opt into net metering or another compensation agreement.
- Would take effect
- 90 days after it becomes law
Read in the bill text: legislation.nysenate.gov
Federal bill, not law
The federal bill: H.R. 10851
H.R. 10851, the Socket Full of Sunshine Act, was introduced in the House by Rep. Rob Menendez (D-NJ-8) on Oct 19, 2026 and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. It has no cosponsors and has not passed the House or the Senate.
If it became law, it would require every state to consider rules for plug-in solar devices of up to 1,200 W, such as dropping interconnection agreements and utility approval, fees, insurance and extra equipment. Considering is not adopting: even if it passes, it would not make plug-in solar legal in New York by itself.
It would also offer grants to states that set up rebate programs for low- and moderate-income households. None of this exists unless the bill passes, and even then a rebate in New York would depend on the state applying for a grant.
Sources: H.R. 10851 on congress.gov (status), the introduced text (govinfo.gov). Status checked .
More about plug-in solar in New York
What would Solar Up Now NY Act, A.9111-C / S.8512-C do if signed?
Pending bill, not law. If signed, it would set: Size cap: 1,200 W (combined AC inverter output to the grid); Certification: Listed or certified by an accredited NRTL as a complete plug-in PV system; Tell your utility: Notify the utility within 30 days of installing, on a simple form (name, address, account number, make, model, size). No approval, fees or extra equipment; Export credit: Exports aren't paid for unless you opt into net metering or another compensation agreement; Would take effect: 90 days after it becomes law.
How much would a plug-in solar kit save in New York?
It depends on which way the panels face, their tilt, how much of the power your home uses as it is made, and your utility's rate. The average residential electricity price in New York was 28.4¢/kWh (our 12-month average of EIA data, Aug 2025–Jul 2026). The calculator on canipluginsolar.com models it hour by hour for your address.
Before you buy a kit in New York
Neighboring states
Planning a kit in New York? Get your step-by-step checklist, from the law's own wording.
Renting in New York? Write a letter to your landlord, matched to New York's rules.