Is plug-in solar legal in New York?
Passed, awaiting governor Not yet. New York's bill (A9111-C / S8512 (Solar Up Now NY Act)) passed the legislature but hasn't been signed.
Passed both chambers on May 28, 2026. As of mid-October it had not been delivered to the governor. If signed, it takes effect 90 days later: 1,200 W AC cap, certified complete systems, notify the utility within 30 days, and exports are unpaid unless you sign a net-metering agreement. Without a dedicated law, a kit that sends power into your home wiring counts as a grid connection under your utility’s rules for rooftop solar. That usually means an interconnection application, and some utilities charge fees or require a licensed installer.
What you can do today:
- Ask your utility whether it has a simplified process for systems under 1,000 W. A few do.
- Use solar without touching the grid: a power station charged by portable panels is legal everywhere, including in a rental.
- Watch the bill. New York’s bill is A9111-C / S8512 (Solar Up Now NY Act). We update this page when anything changes.
What a kit would save in New York
| Kit size | Solar per year | Saved per year |
|---|---|---|
| 400 W | 372 kWh | $91 |
| 800 W | 744 kWh | $181 |
| 1,200 W | 1,115 kWh | $272 |
Panels on a south-facing balcony railing, New York’s average sunshine (NREL PVWatts, state average), today’s price of 28.6¢/kWh, and 85% of the output used at home. Run it for your ZIP code.
See every state’s plug-in solar status, or electricity prices and other rules in New York.