30 NYC Officials Urge Hochul to Sign 1,200-Watt Balcony Solar Bill
Updated
Updated · amNY · Jul 30
30 NYC Officials Urge Hochul to Sign 1,200-Watt Balcony Solar Bill
3 articles · Updated · amNY · Jul 30
Summary
Nearly 30 New York City officials pressed Gov. Kathy Hochul to approve the Solar Up Now New York Act, which would let residents plug small solar systems into standard outlets and notify utilities within 30 days instead of seeking advance approval.
The bill covers photovoltaic systems of up to 1,200 watts and bars utilities from charging related fees or demanding extra controls, while supporters say a single panel could save households hundreds of dollars a year.
Hochul has not indicated whether she will sign the measure, which passed the Legislature on May 28 with a 59-1 Senate vote and would take effect 90 days after becoming law.
Landlords, co-op boards and condo associations could still block installations, a gap supporters call a first-step issue and property owners cite as a safety, liability and insurance concern.
Six states have signed similar laws in the past year, and advocates say New York's entry could help build a certified U.S. market for plug-in solar systems that apartment residents can actually buy.