Requires the New York state energy and research development authority inspect and certify solar energy systems as fire safe and that the results of such inspection are provided to the public.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
5511
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 24, 2025
___________
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Housing, Construction and
Community Development
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to authorizing
the New York state energy research and development authority inspect
and certify solar energy systems as fire safe
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The public authorities law is amended by adding a new
2 section 1885 to read as follows:
3 § 1885. Solar energy system fire safety. 1. For the purpose of this
4 section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
5 (a) "Solar energy system" shall mean ten or more solar energy panels
6 in an array and the accompanying underground transmission lines.
7 (b) "Safety data sheet" means the document containing information and
8 instructions for safe use and potential hazards associated with partic-
9 ular chemicals and materials that are approved by the federal occupa-
10 tional safety and health administration.
11 2. The New York state energy research and development authority, in
12 consultation with the office of fire prevention and control is author-
13 ized and directed to promulgate rules and regulations concerning the
14 certification of solar energy systems as fire safe, in accordance with
15 the provisions of this section.
16 3. The authority, or a third party contracted by the authority, shall
17 inspect solar energy systems to determine if such solar energy systems
18 are safe and if maintenance records of the solar energy system are
19 adequate. The authority, in consultation with the office of fire
20 prevention and control, is authorized and directed to promulgate rules
21 and regulations concerning the sufficiency of maintenance records for
22 solar energy systems.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10195-01-5
S. 5511 2
1 4. The authority, or a third party contracted by the authority, after
2 inspecting a solar energy system shall determine if such solar energy
3 system is fire safe, and if so, shall certify such solar energy system
4 as such.
5 5. If the authority or a third party determines that a solar energy
6 system is not fire safe pursuant to an inspection under subdivision four
7 of this section, the authority or such third party shall provide the
8 reason such solar energy system failed such inspection. Further, the
9 authority shall provide a timeframe within which such solar energy
10 system shall be required to pass inspection.
11 6. Every solar energy system in the state shall have a safety data
12 sheet conspicuously posted in any area that would likely be accessed by
13 emergency responders in the case of a fire or other emergency.
14 7. The authority shall submit an annual report to the governor, the
15 senate environmental conservation committee and the senate energy and
16 telecommunication committee, and the assembly environmental conservation
17 committee and the assembly energy committee. Such report shall include
18 the information gathered by the authority, or the third party contracted
19 by the authority, pursuant to the inspection under subdivisions three,
20 four and five of this section, and any conclusions and/or recommenda-
21 tions of the authority. Such report shall be posted publicly on the
22 authority's website and the solar energy system company's website.
23 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
