Plug-In Solar in New York
New York lawmakers approved the SUNNY Act, which covers plug-in solar. The governor hasn't signed or vetoed it yet, so it isn't law today.
- New York passed a bill, but it isn't law yetS 8512C, A 9111C
- Proposed size: 1,200 W.There's no limit on plug-in wattage.
- It's 29.3 cents.The EIA average home price per kWh from Jan to Aug 2026.
- Each year, $307.A kit of 800 W in New York City, ahead of any solar fee from the utility.
Before connecting in New York, get approval from your electric utility. Choose an inverter with anti-islanding listed to UL 1741, or listed to UL 3700.
The S 8512C Bill: What It Would Do
If signed, S 8512C and A 9111C would take effect on the 90th day after they become law.
The size is 1,200 W.
Safety listing: A testing laboratory that's accredited and nationally recognized must list or certify the whole plug-in photovoltaic system under a standard. The system must have a feature that prevents it from powering the building or grid if an outage occurs.
Utility approval: If signed, no utility may require approval before you install or use the device.
Telling the utility: The owner has 30 days after installation to notify the utility. Each utility must post an easy online form for notifications (name, address and account number, plus device make and model, plus rated size).
No fees: The utility can't charge any fee tied to the device or for energy sent back to the grid, and it can't require extra controls or equipment.
Net metering: These devices aren't covered by interconnection or net metering rules. The customer must voluntarily sign a net metering or another compensation agreement to receive payment for exported energy.
- The device must be installed and operated under NY's fire prevention and building code, and under the manufacturer's instructions.
- Later state building codes must be optimized so these devices can plug into an outlet.
Today's Rule in New York
Grid connections: Until a plug-in law takes effect, solar tied to the grid on an investor-owned utility follows the PSC Standardized Interconnection Requirements. For systems of 50 kW or less, the process is expedited and no application fee applies.
Rule: Residential solar up to 25 kW is covered under Public Service Law 66-j's net metering rules.
Kit Savings in New York
In New York City, PVWatts estimates that each 1 kW of panels produces 1,312 kWh a year, while homes in New York pay 29.3 cents for every kWh in 2026 so far. Savings for an 800 W kit depend on where you put it:
| Where the panels go | kWh a year | Saved a year |
|---|---|---|
| Tilted south on a stand | 1,050 | $307 |
| Upright on a railing | 661 | $194 |
| Facing east or west | 840 | $246 |
Each Month in New York City
- Jan71
- Feb79
- Mar91
- Apr99
- May105
- Jun105
- Jul108
- Aug102
- Sep94
- Oct79
- Nov61
- Dec57
An 800 W kit makes this many kWh when tilted south.
Kit Pricing for New York
| Kit | kWh a year | Saved a year | Pays back in | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Solar Supplier 1180 W EZ1 Kit | 1,549 | $453 | 2.0 years | $899 |
| Bright Saver 360 W Balcony Kit | 472 | $138 | 3.0 years | $414 |
| EcoFlow STREAM 800 W Kit | 1,050 | $307 | 3.6 years | $1,099 |
Each one is tilted south and used at home. Compare all kits
New York Facts Worth Knowing
- In New York, retail customers have a choice: in 2024, energy-only providers supplied about 61.8 million MWh of retail sales within the state's 140.5 million MWh total, not the local utility.
- Prices for electricity run high: in the US, the 2024 average retail price of 19.66 cents/kWh ranked ninth highest.
Renting or Using a Balcony?
The mount is your landlord's or HOA's decision, and your electric utility decides on the hookup. Learn about balcony solar and apartment solar.
Leading Utility Providers
- Consolidated Edison (Con Edison)
- Niagara Mohawk (National Grid)
- New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG)
- Central Hudson Gas and Electric
- Orange and Rockland Utilities
- Rochester Gas and Electric
Next Steps for You in New York
- Pick a kit size. For New York City, a 400 W kit produces about 525 kWh each year; a kit rated 1,200 W produces about 1,575 kWh. Try your numbers.
- Follow S 8512C while it waits for the governor. Once it is signed, the approval step may be removed.
Sources
- NY State Senate Bill 2025-S8512C
- NY State Assembly Bill 2025-A9111C
- Bill text PDF: S8512C
- SUNNY Act Passes NYS Legislature (Sen. Krueger)
- News 12: Solar in a socket? (Oct 23, 2026)
- DSIRE: New York Interconnection Standards
- EIA New York Electricity Profile 2024
- Data comes from NREL PVWatts, New York City, plus EIA Table 5.6.B, 2026 prices
Look over all states at a glance, or check a neighboring state: New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania.