Solar in a socket? The push to cut New York's electric bills
Supporters rallied in Kingston for Gov. Hochul to sign the SUNNY Act, but the devices come with costs, electrical requirements and safety concerns.
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Could lowering your electric bill be as simple as plugging a solar panel into a wall outlet?
That’s the idea behind a growing push to legalize plug-in solar panels in New York. But how much money could homeowners actually save, and are the devices safe?
Advocates gathered outside Kingston City Hall Thursday, calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign legislation known as the SUNNY Act, which passed both houses of the state Legislature in May.
The devices, sometimes called balcony solar panels, are smaller than traditional rooftop systems. They use an inverter to convert sunlight into electricity that can be fed into a home’s electrical system. Supporters say the technology could help homeowners and renters offset rising utility bills without investing in expensive rooftop solar systems.
“We should be giving every resident of the state of New York the option to reduce their bills,” said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger.
Kingston Mayor Steve Noble said the technology could be especially beneficial in communities where residents don’t have access to suitable rooftops.
“We have so many Kingstonians who do not have access to their own rooftops and may not be able to qualify for some of our solarized programs,” Noble said.
Woodstock homeowner Bennet Ratcliff brought his own plug-in solar panel to Thursday’s demonstration, showing how the device connects to an inverter and an electrical outlet. Ratcliff said the system helps him generate some of his own electricity, but acknowledged he doesn’t know exactly how much he’s producing or saving because he’s still disputing past usage with his electric company.
“This isn’t going to take care of all your energy, but it will take care of some of it,” Ratcliff said.
Advocates at Thursday’s event said the systems can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on their size and capabilities.
But the amount of electricity they generate is relatively small compared with a traditional rooftop solar system. For example, a single panel rated at approximately 390 watts could generate roughly one to two kilowatt-hours of electricity on a reasonably sunny day. That’s around 5% to 10% of the average New York household’s daily electricity consumption, based on federal energy data.
Actual output depends on sunlight, weather, placement and other factors. Savings also depend on electricity rates, how much generated power a household uses and any additional installation costs. That means a system costing hundreds or thousands of dollars could take years to pay for itself.
Despite the name, installation might not be as simple as plugging a panel into an outlet.
Advocates acknowledged Thursday that some homes could need electrical upgrades, specialized connections or other work to safely accommodate the devices.
Under existing rules, plug-in solar systems are generally subject to utility interconnection requirements similar to those governing larger solar installations.
The SUNNY Act would create a separate category for smaller systems producing no more than 1,200 watts, eliminating the need for advance utility interconnection approval. Customers would still need to notify their utility after installation.
The legislation also calls for independent safety certification, compliance with applicable building and fire codes, and technology to prevent the devices from dangerously energizing electrical systems during an outage.
Ten states, including Connecticut and New Jersey, have passed legislation addressing plug-in solar, although some laws have yet to take effect.
For consumers trying to navigate the different requirements, a website called Plug In for Solar offers a state-by-state tracker of plug-in solar laws and information on choosing compatible equipment. The site recommends checking safety certifications, household wiring and outlet compatibility, automatic shutoff protections during power outages, and secure mounting before installing a system. It also cautions consumers to verify current laws, utility requirements and manufacturers' instructions.
Still, there are concerns about safety.
UL Solutions, an independent product-testing and safety organization, has warned that plug-in systems could overload household wiring without tripping circuit breakers. The organization has also identified potential electric shock hazards and problems involving ground-fault protection.
During debate in Albany, Republican Assemblymember Phil Palmesano raised similar concerns and urged Hochul to veto the legislation until additional safety and utility reviews could be completed.
Supporters argue the bill’s certification and safety requirements address those risks. Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, a co-sponsor, joined Thursday’s rally urging the governor to act.
“Gov. Hochul — sign it today while it’s still sunny,” Shrestha said.
The governor’s office says the legislation has not yet been delivered to Hochul’s desk. Spokesperson Ken Lovett said she plans to review it and remains committed to supporting solar energy to help keep costs down, but did not say whether she intends to sign it.
