NYS lawmakers look to increase solar power usage, including 'balcony solar'

ALBANY — State lawmakers are looking to boost the use of solar energy by making it easier to connect rooftop projects to the power grid and allowing New Yorkers to buy do-it-yourself, plug-in solar systems.

The legislature late last week approved a measure that, if signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, would legalize portable solar panel systems, sometimes called balcony solar, which can be plugged into a home or apartment’s electrical system.

The small, under 1,200-watt panels make solar power more accessible regardless of income level and housing situation, and are a way for residents to reduce their energy bills, said Assemb. Emily Gallagher (D-Brooklyn), the bill’s sponsor, during the floor vote last week. "This is a huge step forward for those of us who want more energy choice."

The more than $268 billion 2026-27 state budget, also approved last week, aims to increase the use of solar, allocating $200 million to incentivize rooftop and community solar. It also included legislation to update the process of connecting new solar and energy storage projects to the electric grid to lower costs and speed up connection timelines.

The move comes as Hochul, a Democrat, and the Democrats who hold a majority in the State Senate and Assembly, look to make New York more affordable as utility rates soar and oil and gas prices continue to rise because of the war with Iran.

Though the final budget boosts solar, it also includes provisions to slow goals set out in the state’s 2019 climate law.

Hochul, who is up for reelection in November, said the state couldn’t meet the original 2030 emissions deadline in part because of rising costs as well as actions by the Trump administration to kill or delay wind and solar energy projects. All 213 seats in the legislature are also up for election in November.

Environmental and green energy groups said they were disappointed in the budget overall, especially the changes to the climate law, but applauded the efforts to increase solar.

It’s "still an important step forward," said Patrick McClellan, policy director for the New York League of Conservation Voters. "There’s going to be more transparency around costs and the public and state will then be able to use that information to kind of evaluate what, if any actions, the state needs to make it easier for people to go solar."

Hochul approved the budget bills last week and her office said she will review the plug-in solar panel legislation.

'Balcony solar' 

The plug-in panels are in wide use in Germany and have become a hot topic as states look to legalize their use. Utah became the first state to pass legislation for plug-in solar, in 2025.

"Once the market for plug-in solar fully matures, like it already has in Germany, New Yorkers will be able to simply walk into a store, pay a few hundred bucks for a system, take it home and plug it in like any other appliance, and start saving hundreds of dollars every year," said Sen. Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan), the bill’s Senate sponsor, in an emailed statement. It’s "a small but important step to help New Yorkers fight climate change, save money and claim real energy independence."

The systems can cost hundreds to several thousand dollars and produce enough energy to power a few small home appliances or one large one.

They could, for example, power an air conditioner during peak energy hours in the summer, Gallagher said.

Republican lawmakers brought up concerns over the systems’ safety, saying they’re a potential fire hazard.

"This is basically a green energy short cut bill. It bypasses normal construction code, interconnection review and puts pressure on the building code to accommodate a plug-in solar system," said Assemb. Eric "Ari" Brown (R-Cedarhurst) on the Assembly floor last week. "It’s just not safe."

Gallagher argued that the bill increases safety by setting standards for which devices can be sold in New York. Currently the plug-in systems can be purchased on sites such as Amazon.

"What we’re really looking to do is make sure that we are putting the safest possible products on the market and that we have a way to get unsafe products off the market," she said.