Gov. Hochul: lower our energy bills, sign the SUNNY act
The Issue
This summer has been one of the hottest on record. AC has become a necessity for health and safety, not a luxury. Like many New Yorkers, my electricity bills have skyrocketed due to air conditioning. As an apartment-dweller, my options to reduce these costs are limited and expensive.
But there's a simple, cost-effective solution that is gaining popularity worldwide: plug-in solar panels. These panels attach easily to balcony railings, providing free, clean energy without the need for a licensed electrician. They're already legal in Utah, Virginia, Colorado, Maine, Maryland and Connecticut. Folks in Europe, where there are millions of panels already installed, have been using them to lower costs for years.
The SUNNY Act will unlock this powerful alternative by streamlining regulations and cutting down on the costs associated with professional installations. It passed the Senate with near-unanimous support, 59-1. It's just waiting for Governor Kathy Hochul's signature. The bill not only reduces individual electricity expenses but also supports New York in achieving its ambitious energy goals, including a transition to 100% clean electricity by 2040 as part of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
Currently, New York has stringent requirements that discourage apartment-dwellers from installing plug-in solar. The act seeks to eliminate the need for costly permits and red tape, allowing responsible installation that can harness the sun's energy, turning a liability (heat) into an opportunity (free AC). With millions of square feet of roofs, facades, and balconies, these plug-and-play solar panels could be a game-changer.
Supporting the SUNNY Act means empowering New Yorkers to be part of the solution—a move that is beneficial economically, environmentally, and socially. Given the increasing frequency of heatwaves and the escalating costs of living, this act offers a well-timed, viable opportunity.
Join me in urging Governor Hochul to sign the SUNNY Act into law and make plug-in solar panels a new standard for cleaner, more affordable energy throughout New York. Please sign this petition and help us pave the way for a greener future in our city.
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The Issue
This summer has been one of the hottest on record. AC has become a necessity for health and safety, not a luxury. Like many New Yorkers, my electricity bills have skyrocketed due to air conditioning. As an apartment-dweller, my options to reduce these costs are limited and expensive.
But there's a simple, cost-effective solution that is gaining popularity worldwide: plug-in solar panels. These panels attach easily to balcony railings, providing free, clean energy without the need for a licensed electrician. They're already legal in Utah, Virginia, Colorado, Maine, Maryland and Connecticut. Folks in Europe, where there are millions of panels already installed, have been using them to lower costs for years.
The SUNNY Act will unlock this powerful alternative by streamlining regulations and cutting down on the costs associated with professional installations. It passed the Senate with near-unanimous support, 59-1. It's just waiting for Governor Kathy Hochul's signature. The bill not only reduces individual electricity expenses but also supports New York in achieving its ambitious energy goals, including a transition to 100% clean electricity by 2040 as part of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
Currently, New York has stringent requirements that discourage apartment-dwellers from installing plug-in solar. The act seeks to eliminate the need for costly permits and red tape, allowing responsible installation that can harness the sun's energy, turning a liability (heat) into an opportunity (free AC). With millions of square feet of roofs, facades, and balconies, these plug-and-play solar panels could be a game-changer.
Supporting the SUNNY Act means empowering New Yorkers to be part of the solution—a move that is beneficial economically, environmentally, and socially. Given the increasing frequency of heatwaves and the escalating costs of living, this act offers a well-timed, viable opportunity.
Join me in urging Governor Hochul to sign the SUNNY Act into law and make plug-in solar panels a new standard for cleaner, more affordable energy throughout New York. Please sign this petition and help us pave the way for a greener future in our city.
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Petition created on August 3, 2026