New York S 5511: Requires the New York state energy and research development authority inspect and certify solar energy systems as fire safe

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S05511 Summary:

BILL NOS05511 

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SAME ASNo Same As

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SPONSORPARKER

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COSPNSR

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MLTSPNSR

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Add §1885, Pub Auth L

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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.

Go to top S05511 Actions:

BILL NOS05511 

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02/24/2025REFERRED TO HOUSING, CONSTRUCTION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

01/07/2026REFERRED TO HOUSING, CONSTRUCTION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Go to topS05511 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topS05511 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topS05511 Text:

 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