NEW YORK CITY

8.3 MILLION RENTERS. ROOFTOPS. BALCONIES. FIRE ESCAPES. ONE GUIDE.

NYC has more outdoor solar potential than most renters realize - and more complexity. Sol Country breaks down exactly what's legal, what works in your building, and what you'd actually save.

AWAITING GOVERNOR HOCHUL
$0.210ConEd avg rate/kWh
8.3MNYC renter households
~1,200WExpected limit if SUNNY Act signed
FIND MY BUILDING TYPE →TRACK THE SUNNY ACT →
Your building typeYour savingsThe SUNNY ActLandlord / co-op guideConEd programsCommunity solar

STEP 1 - FIND YOUR SITUATION

WHAT KIND OF OUTDOOR SPACE DO YOU HAVE?

NYC buildings are more varied than anywhere else in the country. Your outdoor space determines which kit works, how to mount it, and what your landlord can say about it.

Best mountingRailing mount - attaches to balcony railing, no drilling required for most kits.
Best kitCraftStrom 395W - fits most NYC balconies, folds flat for storage.
Savings~$91/yr at ConEd rates
Payback~4.5 years
Landlord situationIf the SUNNY Act signs, a standard rental landlord cannot prohibit a compliant installation. Document your installation with photos.
Watch forSome buildings restrict items on balcony railings for aesthetic reasons - this may still qualify as a "reasonable restriction" even after the SUNNY Act signs. Get any restriction in writing.

WHAT YOU'D ACTUALLY SAVE AT NEW YORK CITY RATES.

NYC's electricity rate varies slightly by borough and utility. Most NYC renters are served by ConEd at approximately $0.210/kWh - one of the highest rates in the continental US outside of New England.

ConEd serves Manhattan, the Bronx, and most of Brooklyn and Queens: ~$0.210/kWh
PSEG Long Island serves parts of Queens and Brooklyn: ~$0.195/kWh
KIT SIZEANNUAL SAVINGS (CONED)PAYBACK
395W$91/yr~4.5yr payback
800W$195/yr~3.7yr payback
1,200W$292/yr~5yr payback

Capped at the ~1,200W expected limit under the SUNNY Act as passed. Actual savings vary by address, shading, and orientation.

WHAT THE SUNNY ACT ACTUALLY SAYS - AND WHAT IT DOESN'T.

The SUNNY Act passed the New York legislature on June 1, 2026 and awaits Governor Hochul's signature. Here's what it does and doesn't cover.

WHAT IT DOES

✓Allows plug-in solar in rental units up to ~1,200W.
✓Prohibits landlord bans on compliant installations in standard rentals.
✓Creates a statewide standard - local municipalities cannot ban what the state allows.

WHAT IT DOESN'T

!Does NOT explicitly address co-op or HOA restrictions - unlike Colorado's law, which covers both.
!Does NOT guarantee rooftop access rights beyond what your existing lease provides.
!Does NOT set a specific wattage limit in the bill as passed - Sol Country will update this when regulations are finalized.
Sol Country updates this page within 24 hours of any new developments on the SUNNY Act - including when Governor Hochul signs or vetoes.
TRACK IT IN REAL TIME →

NYC HAS FOUR DIFFERENT LANDLORD SITUATIONS. YOURS MATTERS.

New York City's housing stock is more legally varied than any other US city. The SUNNY Act affects each situation differently.

RENTAL APARTMENT TENANT

If the SUNNY Act signs, your landlord cannot prohibit a compliant installation. You need to provide reasonable advance notice (check your lease for notice requirements). Document everything in writing.
Generate a landlord letter →

CO-OP SHAREHOLDER

Co-op shareholders own shares in the building corporation, not the unit itself. Your relationship with the co-op board is governed by your proprietary lease - not a standard rental agreement.

The SUNNY Act's protections for renters may not extend to co-op shareholders in the same way, since you are technically a shareholder, not a tenant.

Sol Country recommends consulting with a real estate attorney or your co-op's management before installing, even after the bill is signed.

CONDO UNIT OWNER

Condo owners have more rights than renters - you own your unit. However, your condo association's rules still govern common areas including rooftops and building exteriors. Balcony installation on your own unit is generally more straightforward than rooftop access, which requires board approval in most condo buildings.

NYCHA RESIDENT

NYC Housing Authority buildings are federally subsidized housing. Federal rules and NYCHA's own policies may supersede state law. Sol Country recommends contacting NYCHA directly before purchasing any equipment. Community solar is available to NYCHA residents and requires no installation.
See NYC community solar →

CONED PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO NYC RENTERS TODAY.

While the SUNNY Act awaits Hochul's signature, these ConEd programs are available right now.

COMMUNITY SOLAR

Subscribe to a NY solar farm, get credits on your ConEd bill. $0 upfront, 5-10% off monthly. Available in all five boroughs.

DEMAND RESPONSE

OhmConnect is available in New York - get paid to reduce usage during peak demand events.

CON EDISON GREEN TARIFF

Choose 100% renewable energy through ConEd's green energy option - no installation required.

AVAILABLE TODAY IN NYC

COMMUNITY SOLAR FOR NEW YORKERS - RIGHT NOW.

Community solar lets NYC renters subscribe to a New York solar farm and receive credits on their Con Edison bill - $0 upfront, no installation, no waiting on the SUNNY Act.

Perch Energy
Common Energy
Solstice
Clearway
BROWSE NY COMMUNITY SOLAR →

JOIN THE NYC WAITLIST

Sol Country emails NYC renters the day Governor Hochul signs the SUNNY Act, with kit recommendations and your exact NYC savings estimate.

FIND MY EXACT NYC SAVINGS.

FIND MY EXACT NYC SAVINGS →
NYC SPECIFICUPDATED WITHIN 24HRS OF SIGNINGFREE · NO SIGNUP