The Solar Guidebook contains information, tools, and step-by-step instructions to support local governments managing solar energy development in their communities. The Guidebook’s chapters cover a variety of solar energy topics including, the permitting process, property taxes, model solar energy law and more.
You can download the full Solar Guidebook [PDF] or access individual chapters below.
An introduction to the common equipment and terminology used in solar technology. Topics of discussion include solar systems, solar terms, system components, net metering and financial considerations with regards to solar development.
To allow officials to better understand the permitting and inspecting process, and ensure them an efficient, transparent and safe beginning to their solar development project, this section reviews the solar permitting and inspection process for local government officials and authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs).
Permitting and Inspection Tools
Through the 2020 New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (Uniform Code), specific codes are set in place regarding rooftop access and ventilation when installing a solar photovoltaic (PV) system. This section provides information on the parts of the 2020 Residential Code of New York State (2020 RCNYS) and the 2020 Fire Code of New York State (2020 FCNYS) that are applicable to solar PV installers and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), when installing and inspecting PV systems. Additionally, figures are shown in this chapter to visualize and explain scenarios where rooftop access and ventilation will be needed to adhere with the 2020 Uniform Code.
When beginning solar development in your respective community, municipalities must participate in a State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) for rooftop and ground-mount solar systems. Throughout this section, we provide readers with an overview on the SEQR process, with step-by-step instructions for large solar projects and the background on SEQR regulations.
It is increasingly important for local governments to be aware of the New York State Real Property Tax Law § 487 as it relates to developing solar systems in your community. We provide answers to questions that may arise when local officials are deciding whether to opt-in or opt-out of the Real Property Tax Law.
The Solar Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT) section is currently under construction to reflect the latest legislation, which established a process for the NYS Department of Tax and Finance to develop a standard appraisal methodology for solar projects greater than one megawatt. The latest model and methodology can be accessed here
When navigating solar energy projects in accordance with New York State policies, local officials may have questions regarding solar installations taking place on their community’s agricultural lands. In this section, we discuss balancing solar and agriculture locally, solar and agriculture as compatible land uses, and relevant NYS programs and regulations.
When deciding to lease land for solar, landowners have many factors to consider before committing. Throughout this section, we provide landowners with the necessary information to take their solar development project to the next step by discussing the topics of; community solar, per-acre lease rates, agricultural assessments, conversion penalties, taxing on solar, and other potential impacts and considerations when in the decision making process.
In this section we provide information for local governments and landowners on the decommissioning of large-scale solar panel systems through the topics of decommissioning plans and costs and financial and non-financial mechanisms in land-lease agreements. As local governments develop solar regulations and landowners negotiate land leases, it is important to understand the options for decommissioning solar panel systems and restoring project sites to their original status.
Since siting for solar projects is at the local level, the Model Solar Energy Local Law serves as a resource to inform local officials on the processes of installing, operating, maintaining and decommissioning solar systems in their respective jurisdictions. Providing this as a resource for local governments, officials can then use this Model Law to assist them in examining their own local laws, regulations, and policies to adopt their own rules and regulations that make sense for their respective community with regards to solar development.
Included in this toolkit are step-by-step instructions on how municipalities can lease underutilized land, such as landfills and brownfields, for solar development. In addition, we provide a Request for Proposals (RFP) template, Lease Agreement template, and a Model Law for Counties subject to New York County Law § 215. These resources previously mentioned are materials often used by local governments when in the solar development process and are included for an advisory purpose.
NYSERDA offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and support to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. A public benefit corporation, NYSERDA has been advancing energy solutions and working to protect the environment since 1975.