BILL NUMBER: S8119
SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general municipal law, in relation to enacting the
"community solar opportunity and local approval reform (Community SOLAR)
act"
 
PURPOSE:
The Community SOLAR Act aims to accele te cost-effective community solar
deployment by streamlining and standardizing permitting requirements for
community solar projects in New York State. While utility-scale projects
are permitted at the State-level through the Office of Renewable Energy
Siting and Transmission, the Community SOLAR Act preserves local control
by keeping community solar permitting at the local level, and ensures
that residents of host communities are able to access utility bill
savings from local solar projects. Upon enactment, the Community SOLAR
Act will shorten permitting timelines and lower costs for community
solar project development, lowering the cost of clean energy development
and expanding access to affordable, clean energy.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 established definitions for key terms referenced in the act.
Section 2 outlines a set of common standards and requirements for
distributed generation energy facilities and stipulates that local
zoning requirements may be no more restrictive than these statewide
standards.
Section 3 enhances host community benefits by directing developers of
distributed generation energy facilities to offer residents of the host
community the right of first refusal to subscribe to and receive utility
bill credits at a discounted rate.
Section 4 directs the New York state department of environmental conser-
vation to develop workable freshwater wetlands permitting requirements
for distributed generation energy facilities.
Section 5 limits moratoria that prevent distributed generation energy
facilities to no more than six months in duration.
Section 6 designates the new york department of state as the agency
responsible for enforcing this act.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
To achieve New York's Affordability Agenda, the state must use every
tool available to address rising energy costs. Community solar offers
guaranteed utility bill savings with no upfront costs, expanding clean
energy access to households that can't install rooftop panels. These
projects also create local jobs, generate lease income for landowners,
and provide tax revenue for communities, all while helping meet renewa-
ble energy goals quickly and cost-effectively.
However, development is being hindered by local moratoria and restric-
tive zoning laws, often based on misinformation. These rules limit rural
landowners' rights and threaten progress toward New York's climate
targets. NYSEIA found that such restrictions are blocking up to 4.6 GW
of viable community solar enough to nearly double the state's current
capacity without expensive grid upgrades.
State-level leadership is urgently needed to support the community solar
market, attract investment, and ensure all New Yorkers benefit from
affordable, clean energy. This legislation thoughtfully balances the
importance of local control with the urgent public necessity to develop
clean energy quickly and efficiently.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
TBA
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately