New York plug-in solar bill heads to governor after legislature approval

The bill would authorize portable plug-in solar devices up to 1,200 watts and require owners to notify their utility within 30 days after installation. Supporters say the change would open solar access to apartment dwellers who cannot install full rooftop systems, while still limiting engineering and grid-impact risk because the devices are small. For urban solar markets, the measure is notable because it moves balcony solar from a fringe product toward a regulated consumer energy category.