Many New Yorkers are among the 53 million households nationwide who cannot install rooftop solar. They may not be able to afford rooftop solar, or they may live in a rental with no rooftop access. For those who face financial, physical, or regulatory restrictions, plug-in solar offers an affordable solution!
NEWS FLASH: as of May 28, 2026, the SUNNY Act to legalize balcony solar passed the NY Senate and the Assembly!
(4/22/26 press release from the bill sponsor, Sen Kruger)
Plug-in solar – sometimes called “balcony solar” – is a low wattage “plug-and-play” solar panel that can be easily installed.
The panel connects to a device that converts solar power to the electricity we use in our home. It plugs into a standard outlet and can provide up to 800 watts, enough to run a small fridge or a laptop. It is affordable in large measure because it reduces “soft” costs (non-hardware costs) of rooftop solar. And the plug-in panels are portable, so renters can take them when they move. There are many places to plug-in solar panels, such as on a balcony, on the top of a carport, or on an RV.
Watch the unboxing. Plug-in solar demo (small size unit)
Plug-in solar has taken off in Germany, where an estimated 3 million “balcony solar” kits are in operation. In the United States, Utah’s legislature unanimously passed a bill this spring – signed by the governor – exempting portable solar devices like balcony solar from state regulations that require interconnection agreements with the local utility. As of May 2026, similar bills have passed in Maine and Virginia.
What’s the hold up for Plug-in Solar to take off in New York State?
Because plug-in solar is new to the consumer market, it raises legitimate safety concerns. Typical home electrical panels are designed to regulate electricity going out to appliances, not power coming in through a cord. Underwriters Laboratory (now known as UL Solutions), the standard-setter for consumer appliance safety, has – as of April 2026 – issued safety guidelines for plug-in solar panels, and manufacturers are rapidly submitting their products for UL certification. The corresponding building codes (state and national) specific to plug-in that govern the product’s installation have yet to be developed.
What can we do to help achieve plug-in solar in New York State? Pass the SUNNY Act!
Making plug-in solar viable will require education and advocacy by the solar industry, consumer advocates, the media, and others. As Utah has demonstrated, there is broad support for plug-in solar. Luckily, in New York State, a key legislative step to support balcony solar has passed!
SUNNY Act (A9111 Gallagher / S8512 Krueger)
Solar Up Now New York Act exempts small-scale balcony or plug-in solar from interconnection and net metering requirements and prohibits utilities from requiring customers to obtain approval for using such a device or paying any related fee.
Plug-in solar – like all forms of distributed renewable energy – empowers and enables consumers to actively participate in more affordable and cleaner energy. As one more way to go solar, it helps to unshackle us from expensive, dangerous, and unhealthy fossil fuels. As Bill McKibben say recently in Rolling Stone, “Solar is liberation.”
Third Act Advocates for New York State Climate Policies worked hard for the SUNNY Act for plug-in solar and other important clean energy initiatives. Read our Memo of Support for SUNNY.
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The UL3700 standard and its relationship to building codes
Plug-in photovoltaic (PIPV) solar systems introduce hazards that can compromise existing electrical protection measures.
Overcurrent Protection Challenges – Branch circuits are designed for one-way power flow—from the panelboard to the load. When a plug-in solar system backfeeds power into the same circuit, the combined current from the utility and plug-in solar source can exceed conductor ratings without tripping the circuit breaker. This undetected overload poses risks of fire and electric shock. Solutions: Dedicated circuits with unique receptacles to prevent overloads – or – integrated overcurrent protection at the point of connection.
Touch Safety Hazards – Grid-interactive inverters used in plug-in solar systems are not evaluated for user contact safety. Accessible plug blades can become energized when exposed to sunlight, creating a shock hazard for consumers. Solution: Unique plug configurations to avoid unsafe installations.
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) Compatibility – Plug-in solar systems can compromise GFCI protection, a critical safety feature in outdoor and wet locations. Current GFCI standards assume unidirectional current flow, but plug-in solar introduces bidirectional flow, potentially blinding GFCIs and leaving circuits unprotected. Solution: Bidirectional GFCI devices to maintain shock protection under backfeed conditions.
While several states have enacted or will soon enact legislation, these laws are not simply plug and play. Before these laws take full effect, plug-in solar systems must: 1) be certified by “a nationally recognized testing laboratory” (i.e. UL Solutions, Intertek); and 2) meet the standards of the most recent National Electrical Code (NEC).
Lab Tested and Certified: As of June 22, 2026, no commercially available systems simultaneously met all the specific safety requirements mandated by the legislation, including UL and NEC standards. UL has a testing and certification framework specifically for these systems to bridge this gap, but it takes time for manufacturers to design, test, and mass-produce hardware that passes these new, rigorous tests.
Building Codes: Most states follow the NEC (National Electrical Code), which generally treats any power source feeding into a home’s wiring as a permanent installation. This typically requires a dedicated circuit, directly contradicting the “plug it into any outlet” marketing seen in many videos.
Third Act recommends this whitepaper by UL Solutions, which thoroughly explains the concerns regarding plug-in solar systems.
Safety Considerations for Plug-In Photovoltaic (PIPV) Systems – Summary: https://www.ul.com/insights/safety-considerations-plug-photovoltaic-pipv-systems
PV Magazine article by William Driscoll (Third Act Virginia) is well worth the read: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2026/01/13/a-guidebook-on-plug-in-balcony-solar-for-state-level-policymakers/