BILL NUMBER: S6286A
SPONSOR: HINCHEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to establishing
the agrivoltaics viability pilot program
 
PURPOSE:
To create a pilot program that will provide grants to identify best
practices and strategies for construction and operation of dual-use
solar energy projects on land which receives an agricultural assessment.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one adds a new section 1885 to the public authorities law which
directs NYSERDA to establish and implement an Agrivoltaics Viability
Pilot Program in consultation with the Public Service Commission, the
Department of Agriculture and Markets and the Department of Environ-
mental Conservation. The program will provide grants for projects to
identify the best practices and strategies for dual-use projects to meet
several goals related to soil, farm and economic health. NYSERDA must
report to the Governor and legislature on the progress of the program
one year after it has been implemented and every two years after that.
This section also defines the terms "Agrivoltaics" and "Dual-use solar
energy project," as well as "agricultural products and activities."
Section two states the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Rapid expansion of large-scale solar developments has disproportionately
impacted our state's food supply by taking working farmland out of
production. Dual-use solar, also known as agrivoltaics, is the practice
of installing solar photovoltaic panels on farmland in such a manner
that primary agricultural activities, such as animal grazing and crop
production, are maintained simultaneously on that farmland. This bill
establishes an Agrivoltaics Viability Pilot Program that allows for
improved agricultural production under and around solar. panels.
A Dual-Use Solar Energy Program would incentivize the practice of agri-
volatics and prevent the conversion of solar siting that has histor-
ically displaced agriculture from the landscape. This bill provides a
pathway for existing farmers to transition land to an additional use
while maintaining on-site agricultural activity and protecting New York.
State's vulnerable farmland. Developing a program that aims to hit our
CLCPA goals while ensuring that our fragile food supply is being
protected is essential for the future of our state and nation's food
security.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2022: S8088/A10627 - Reported to Finance/Referred to Energy
2023-24: S1058/A2299-A - Reported to Finance/Referred to Energy
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect six months after it shall have become a law.
Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule
or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effec-
tive date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such
effective date.